Mental Health Month - Let's End the Stigma!
May is Mental Health Awareness month and if you’ve been around for a while you know that mental health is something I am really passionate about. It is so important that people are aware of mental health, as well as the various mental illnesses that people may struggle with. There is definitely still a stigma around mental illness and it’s our job to try and minimize that.
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
“Mental health is a range of thoughts, feelings and experiences that make-up your overall mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.”
— Kids Help Phone
Just like physical health, mental health is on a spectrum and everyone’s journey will be unique to them. What may affect or benefit one person, may not affect or benefit you and that is okay. There is no right answer or right path to take for mental wellness.
How common is mental illness?
By the age of 40, over 50% of Canadians will have experienced (or currently be experiencing) a mental illness.
To narrow it down even more, that means that every year 1 in 5 Canadians will struggle with mental health challenges or be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. That means that each year 7,650,000 people are struggling with their mental health!
is there stigma surrounding mental health?
The short answer is YES.
Both self-stigma and public-stigma still surround mental health on a daily basis. Public stigma is the type we are most familiar with, when the public attributes negative titles or ideas to someone with a mental illness. This may include ideas that someone with a mental illness is in control of their illness, that they are dangerous because they have an illness or just unworthy of respect and a place in society.
Self-stigma is the type we may be less familiar with.
“Self-stigma happens when someone with mental illness applies negative public views to themselves. They observe others’ negative attitudes. Often, they believe they are unworthy or should be able to control their symptoms through willpower.”
By adopting self-stigma, a person may begin to feel isolated, misunderstood or unworthy of a happy and fulfilling life. These feelings and thoughts could increase the symptoms of their mental illness.
Stigma of mental illness is often seen in the media as well. In the media you may see those with mental illness being portrayed as:
Being homicidal or extremely dangerous
Being “psychopaths” or “maniacs”
Being responsible for their illness or behaviors related to their illness
These are often untrue and the coverage of mental illness in the media is usually shown without discussion of the struggles that led to dangerous or disruptive behavior.
With stigma coming from the media, people around them and even the person themselves, it is almost impossible for those with mental illnesses to feel anything but isolated, unworthy and even crazy (which is a word that we need to get rid of altogether!).
HOW CAN WE COMBAT THe STIGMA?
Through research, there are three main ways we can start to combat the stigma surrounding mental health:
EDUCATE yourself and others about mental illness
PROTEST against unfair depictions of mental illness
INTERACT with people who experience mental illness
The media and the public have the power to contribute to the stigma, but they have just as much power to spread awareness and positive messages. While misconceptions and stereotypes can spread like wildfire through social media channels, we can begin to turn that around and spread positivity through posts and stories.
Many organizations are already changing the conversation and many politicians, athletes, and other celebrities are sharing their stories of their own personal struggles. It is a start for sure, but we can always do more.
7 Ways You Can Stamp Out Stigma
According to McLean Hospital, the impact of stigma can weigh heavily on many, we can all do our part to help lessen the burden of mental illness on others—and ourselves.
GET HELP if you need it; contact a licensed professioanl. Do not be afraid to let others know that you have sought help.
JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP. It can be normalizing to talk with others who have experienced mental health struggles.
REACH OUT to people you trust for support.
OWN YOUR EXPERIENCE. Be authentic and share as much as you feel comfortable doing so. Sharing on social media can be empowering for you and others around you.
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS on mental health topics.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR LANGUAGE. Use first-person language when it applies.
CALL OUT harmful language and attitudes that you see in the media. Be respectful — many people are not trying to be insensitive, they just may be uninformed.
Mental Health Awareness month is such a great time to repost anything you see on social media that may encourage education, positivity and inclusiveness. It is something so simple that we can do to try and end the stigma. I would love to know how you are taking part in this month and how you think we can help to end the stigma. Let’s start a conversation!
Much Love,
Information for this blog post was found at kidshelpphone.ca, cmha.ca and mcleanhospital.org