Freedom From Stigma
Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, there has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade (to 2017). Two of the most common mental health conditions, depression, and anxiety, cost the global economy $ 1 trillion each year. Despite these figures, the global median of government health expenditure that goes to mental health is less than 2%.
What can we do with the presence of these challenges?
One idea: Freedom From Stigma and Support
Review the following infographic for more information and answering these questions:
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
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@competentParadise6344
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?: I try to be a bit more open about my disabilities.
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?: I hope to have mental health campaigns and say that those who have disabilities are people too.
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma? Once I was diagnosed with bipolar 2, I let my friends and family know on social media. I encouraged them to help end the stigma by educating themselves on the mental health disorders.
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma? It's difficult for me to think what else I can do to help end stigma. I can continue on educating myself and others.
@competentParadise6344
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
creating awareness in my local group
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
planning a live session with a psychiatrist for teens
@competentParadise6344
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
Politely correcting people who use inappropriate terms and phrases to describe someone with a mental health condition
Supporting any friends and family who may be struggling
Standing by someone and not allowing their mental illnesses(es), which only consist of a part of who they are, define their existence or worth to me as a relative or friend etc.
Volunteering on 7 Cups
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
Opening up a bit more about my experiences with anxiety and depression a bit more
@competentParadise6344
I have been very open about it own experiences and willing to share what I'm experiencing on a daily. I hope that by being honest and showing I can be struggling and successful will reduce stigma.
@competentParadise6344
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma? Educating folks about how personality disorders work-- they are a brain glitch per se regarding wiring, and not inherent of someone's character.
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma? I try to educate folks about how being borderline works, and that I'm not dangerous, I am a person with different challenges than they have.
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
Sadly, at the moment I have been behind and unable to do much. However, I have tried volunteering with outreach programs that specialize in communities like these.
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
I will educate myself more, and stop using words or slang that may be offensive or hurtful to others struggling. I'd also point that out to anyone who may be using it around others that are uncomfortable, or making it apart of their regular vocabulary so they know to stop and why it's important.
@competentParadise6344
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
I am an autist and I try to be actively supportive in autist groups. I also as a university professor decided two years ago to be public with my students about my autism. In this context, I hope to provide a positive example for them and also to be supportive for any differences.
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
I will continue doing the above and also reach out to students who tell me of their own difference and support them saying that difference is strength. Different not disordered is very important to me.
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
I have been sharing my own experiences with mental health and educating myself on different topics
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
I plan to do a research project on anxiety, and use this to help educate others and spread awareness <3
What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?
I am trying to understand my own mental health and taking it seriously.
What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?
I will try those suggestions above.
Have a good day 🏵🌼
