PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION [PART 2]
Mental health plays a central role in our daily lives; it impacts our overall wellbeing and work. Despite advances made in understanding mental health and treating mental illness, individuals often struggle to improve their mental health. Stigma can be one of the biggest barriers to working on our mental health.
Defining Stigma in the Context of Mental Health
Defining Stigma in the Context of Mental Health
“Stigma is the biggest killer out there. Stigma kills more people than cigarettes, than heroin, that any other risk factor. Because it keeps people in the shadows, it keeps people from asking for help, it keeps good people from being willing to offer help.”
– Dr. Jerome Adams, Former U.S. Surgeon General¹.
Mental health stigma is when an individual, group, or society holds a negative and unfair belief about something; it stems from a lack of understanding, fear, shame, prejudice, and/or discrimination towards individuals with mental health conditions.2
There are three primary types:
- Self-Stigma refers to internal negative attitudes an individual holds towards their own mental health conditions.
- Public Stigma is society’s negative views or discriminatory attitudes towards individuals with mental health conditions.
- Structural Stigma involves government or organizational policies that limit opportunities, resources and access to care for individuals with mental health conditions.
How can we reduce stigma? Start with these tactics:
How can we reduce stigma? Start with these tactics:
Use Person-First & Identity-First Language
Use Person-First & Identity-First Language
It is important to be cognizant of the language we use when discussing sensitive topics such as mental health. Use person-first and identity-first language to show respect for an individual and remove emphasis from their disability or condition. Always ask an individual what style of language they prefer. Learn more about both language styles here.
Challenge Your Own Beliefs
Challenge Your Own Beliefs
Engaging in self-reflection can help individuals understand their own internal beliefs and work to combat any negative perspectives. Many individuals believe that suffering from mental health ailments is a sign of weakness and something that they can “control”; however, seeking help and educating yourself can reduce stigmatized beliefs. Avoid defining yourself or someone else based on a mental health condition.
Maintain an Open Dialogue about Mental Health
Maintain an Open Dialogue about Mental Health
Sharing positive messages, words of encouragement, and personal stories about mental health can help create a safe space for individuals to reach out, further reducing stigma. Research shows that sharing personal stories about mental health with someone who is suffering from a mental health challenge is one of the best ways to reduce stigma, fear, and negative attitudes surrounding mental health³.
Recognize the equality between mental and physical health
Recognize the equality between mental and physical health
Physical health is often given more importance than mental health; in reality, both components are crucial to our overall wellbeing. For example, many people treat a broken bone more seriously than depression. It is also important to understand the impact mental health can have on our physical health. For example, individuals suffering from depression are at a higher risk of developing diabetes and have a poorer prognosis⁴.
Learn more about stigma and breaking down barriers: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination