Mental Health: Ending the Stigma
How does stigma relate to mental health?
The stigma attached to mental illness and mental health issues can be just as, if not more damaging than its reality. Despite worldwide initiatives fighting to normalize the conversations surrounding mental health, preconceived beliefs continue to negatively stereotype. So much so that individuals who are navigating their mental health are often categorized as weak, unstable, and sometimes even threatening.
This not only prevents people from seeking out the necessary support and resources that they may need to live a happy, healthy lives, but it also generates a lack of authentic connection throughout our communities, which inevitably leads to feelings of isolation.
External Factors: Social Stigma
Those who openly admit to experiencing a mental health problem are confronted with various forms of external prejudice. This form of stigmatization, known as social stigma, elicits strong feelings of shame, powerlessness and embarrassment. Unfortunately, these discriminating attitudes and behaviors are widespread and commonly held throughout society. Stigmatization from peers is often projected by use of:
Unwarranted assumptions
Gossip
Social rejection
It Stems from the Source: Self-Stigma
Unfortunately, social-stigma is just the tip of the iceberg. Often, the most shocking of these stigmatizing beliefs are held by the very person that is struggling. The internalization of a person’s own biases that translate into discriminatory thoughts and or actions against oneself is commonly referred to as self-stigma. These biases can stem from:
Family history
Media distortions
Comparisons to the most severe psychological disorders
Inherent shame attached to self-inflicted disease
Treatment outcomes tend to be less successful when stigma stems from self. Avoidance or an unwillingness to accept their mental illness prevents individuals from seeking the support they crave, which in turn amplifies their discriminating beliefs.
Physical Body vs. Mental Body
Every human being is made up of a physical body, and a mental body. The physical body requires dedicated movement and conscious diet or else muscles will inevitably weaken and overall health would suffer. That very same concept also applies to our mental body.
Building resiliency of the mind requires just as much dedication and due diligence. By cultivating a strong mental practice, individuals feel supported as they identify internal blockades and work to confront daily stressors that may lead to more intense life challenges. We all experience these common mental ebbs and flows at varying degrees.
As much as physical health care is widely accepted and trusted, mental health care is self and socially-stigmatized. Even the medical community gives mental wellness a lower priority when training professionals within the field.
The more we invest in healthy habits, both physically and mentally, the more equipped we are to bounce back from stressful mind/body circumstances. So how can we work to squash the stigma associated with mental health?
How to End Mental Health Stigma
Practice Compassion
Whether directed towards yourself, or others, practicing compassion, or sympathetic concern, can foster personal growth by nurturing one’s ability to connect. Notice the ways in which you verbally and nonverbally communicate, and identify whether or not they’re serving you.
There is a direct correlation between how we speak to and interact with ourselves, and the level of compassion that we offer others. So, work to allow yourself grace, even in challenging situations, as you commit to finding humanity in those who may be suffering – even if it’s you!
Maintain Balance
You have to treat the whole individual, not just a portion. It is common for feelings of unsettlement, anxiety and stress to arise from a lack of appropriate life balance. If you notice yourself taking preventative measures to maintain your physical health, acknowledge that your mental health may need a little love too.
Find the courage to seek external support and guidance. Maybe schedule an appointment with a professional, or chat with someone who is also taking control of their mental health. Whatever that first step looks like for you, move fiercely in that direction in search of finding that sweet spot of mind/body equilibrium.
Acknowledge Shortcomings
Let’s be honest, we all have shortcomings – and that’s okay! Acknowledging that you’ve got some room to grow is the first, and often the most challenging step. But, by educating yourself, and finding appropriate opportunities to educate others, we can actively squash the undesirable stigma that’s attached to mental health.
Whether “right” or “wrong”, our background and previous biases surrounding mental health tend to guide and influence our current human interactions. This is why cultivating awareness, and actually giving ourselves space to grow, can be such a pivotal step in relinquishing the limiting beliefs that we harvest about ourselves… and others.
Be a catalyst for change as you work to understand your own external shortcomings, and resist the urge to harbor self-stigma.
Seek Out Support
Both social and professional support are key components to maintaining a healthy relationship with one’s mental health. Unfortunately, it is not automatically guaranteed that the people surrounding us will innately understand and support our needs.
Finding a community of individuals who can identify with and contribute to your continued healing is extremely beneficial. Often, moving beyond your comfort zone is a powerful tool in stealing back your potential and can instill confidence when deciding who you are willing to surround yourself with. Remember, who you keep company with is indeed a choice.
Be Honest
What you have to say is worth hearing. Give yourself permission to advocate for mental health by honestly sharing your story. The more that we openly communicate about our experiences, the more empowered others may feel to embrace and seek support as they explore their own mental health journey. It takes one person’s vulnerability to unlock years of discriminatory beliefs. Be that person. Squash the stigma!
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