5 Strategies to Deal with Mental Health Stigma

A person with mental illness not only has to deal with the symptoms of his/her disease but also with the social stigma.

According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in every four American adults suffer from a mental health condition at some stage of their life and almost half of these patients do not seek treatment. While there are a number of factors that may contribute to a refusal to seek help, stigma remains the most common among them.

Societal attitudes that lead to mental illness include poverty, unemployment, poor housing, and lost educational opportunities.

Unfortunately, negative beliefs and attitudes towards the people who have a mental disorder are very common due to a lack of education and lack of awareness.

Stigma in Mental Illness

Stigma refers to a "sign of disgrace or discredit" with respect to a particular characteristic or the attribute which makes a person different from others.

Stigma in mental illness can be described as a negative opinion, judgment, stereotype, or belief that motivates the people to humiliate, reject and discriminate against those who suffer from a mental illness.

Stigma is shown when a person with a mental illness is called ‘crazy’ ‘dangerous’ or ‘psychotic’ rather than unwell.

Effects of Mental Illness Stigma on Life

Stigma has a disastrous effect on the lives of people suffering from mental health issues. These patients may internalize mental illness stigma and experience lowered self-efficiency and self-esteem. This can lead the patients to distance themselves from society, turn to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, and even commit suicide.

People with a mental health stigma may avoid seeking help due to the fear of being stigmatized, and consequently, their symptoms become worse. Such patients may also encounter bullying, physical harassment, and even violence. They may also suffer from many unavoidable difficulties such as intentional or unintentional discrimination, unequal rights, and unemployment. They also hesitate from exposing their potential due to the fear of being judged.

How to Cope with Mental Health Stigma

Here are some of the steps that the people diagnosed with a mental illness, and their families should take to cope effectively with the stigma of mental health.

1- Never Be Ashamed of Seeking Help

Stigma leads to an internalized shame about having a mental illness, and in this situation, seeking help may seem like a daunting task. However, it is indispensable to your journey to recovery.

Keep in mind that mental illness is like any other kind of illness. Therefore, don’t be afraid of seeking help.

2. Don’t Hide Away

Many people who suffer from mental stigma tend to isolate themselves from others. Keep in mind that the battle against mental health stigma cannot be fought alone. You need to reach out to the people close to you like your family, friends, community members, or religious or spiritual leaders for compassion and support.

3. Remain Active and Join Mental Health Support Groups

Social isolation can have an adverse effect on your mental illness. Isolation or abandoning recreational activities can increase your risk of having depression.

Joining online mental health support groups will help you realize that isn’t alone to experience mental illness and there are thousands of people like you coping with similar situations. Connecting with these people can help you regain your self-esteem and reestablish your social circle.

There are several organizations in America that support patients suffering from mental health conditions. Additionally, take an active part in the local events in your community and express your opinions against stigma openly.

4. Don't Let Stigma Create Self-Doubt

Sometimes, the ignorance of other people may influence your feelings about yourself. Consequently, you start believing that their condition is a sign of personal weakness and that you can’t succeed at certain challenges.

Mental health experts believe that self-doubt can impede a person’s ability to recover from mental illness.

5. Don’t Lose Hope and Be Confident that Treatment Works

There are various medicines and psychosocial treatments available by using which the patient can enjoy a life with their families. Keep in mind that the treatment for mental health stigma can be complicated and its side effects are often frustrating, but highly productive in the long run.

Discuss your goals with your health care provider and keep him/her about the progress of your recovery.

Conclusion

Social stigma can make someone’s mental health problems worse, prevent him/her from seeking help and make his/her recovery harder. It is needed to be understood that illness isn’t a sign of weakness and can affect anyone regardless of his/her gender, age, or ethnicity. Although all of these mental disorders are not 100 percent curable, stigma can be wholly cured with a compassionate attitude, awareness, and education.

Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center in Edgewater

Are you or a loved one suffering from a mental disorder? At Edgewater Family Care Center, we offer a full spectrum of mental and behavioral health services for people of all ages. Our licensed and board-certified psychiatrists and psychologists utilize the most advanced therapies to treat the patients and put them on track to stability and wellness.

Edgewater Family Care is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to providing premium quality healthcare to the people of New Jersey.