Mental Health Stigma

Introduction

Mental Health stigma can affect many individuals daily. It can make an individual who is suffering from a mental illness or disorder feel like they arent worth anything and that there is no point to seeking help because they feel no one will listen or understand. Mental Health stigma can be an uncomfortable topic for many, especially if they themselves suffer from mental illness and/or have their own mental health stigma.

Mental Health Stigma Defined

Mental Health stigma is defined as a sign of disgrace or discredit toward mental health. This could make an individual feel unwanted and worthless. Its important to note that many people who suffer from mental illness already have a difficult time speaking about their mental illness and if stigma is also involved, it will more than likely push that person away from receiving the help they need. Mental health can be a touchy topic and if people are feeling judged and viewed as not good enough due to their mental health struggles, they will more than likely withdraw from others as well as keep to themselves. Withdrawing from others involves lack of a social life, which can in turn, create depressive thoughts and feelings. Mental health stigma can create an awful, vicious, spiraling cycle. It was mentioned in the article titled, Reducing mental illness stigma: Effectiveness of hearing about the normative experiences of others, that individuals with stigmatizing perceptions of mental illness may not be willing to seek contact with people they perceive to have mental illness (Hackler, et al, 2016, p. 201).

Self-Stigma

There is also something called Self-stigma and it can correspond to the negative self-perceptions and demoralization that occur when societal stigma regarding mental health and counseling is internalized and applied to the self (Lannin, et al, 2016, p. 351). In the article titled, Does self-stigma reduce the probability of seeking mental health information?, it was mentioned that if counseling is viewed as threatening, its more likely that individuals will perceive it as negative (Lannin, et al, 2016). It was also mentioned that previous research has found that ones attitude toward counseling mediates the relationship between self-stigma and the intentions to seek counseling (Lannin, et al, 2016, p. 352).

Self-Reflection

Its important to self-reflect when feeling stressed and that your mental health is getting the best of you. Self-reflection is a great tool to use when feeling overwhelmed, because it helps us consider who we are and why we are feeling the way we do. Think about the whole system, such as, goals, beliefs, values, who youre surrounding yourself with, home life, the list can go on and on. Self-reflection can also serve as a grounding tool, to help us stay balanced and grounded in our daily life.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness can serve as a positive and healthy way on how to deal with the pressures of mental health stigma. Meditation involves focusing on breathing, so, when inhaling, allow the belly to expand and when exhaling, allow the belly to sink in. Also, remember to breathe with your abdomen and not your chest, as this creates shallow breathing and the feeling of panic. Mindfulness is being mindful of whats around you and also being grateful for what you have. If we focus on the negatives, negatives will follow. If we focus on the positives, positives will follow.

Discussion Questions

v What does it mean to have mental illness?

v Would you say that you suffer from your own self-stigma? If so, why is that?

v Do you experience mental health stigma where you live? If so, what can you do to decrease the possibility of mental health stigma?

Great websites to look at! Just copy and paste them into your browser.

1) http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/ways-to-help

2) http://letstalk.12kindsofkindness.com/ - Share your story and even join them on Instagram!

3) https://www.instagram.com/letstalkaboutmentalhealth/?hl=en

References

Hackler, A. H., Cornish, M. A., & Vogel, D. L. (2016). Reducing mental illness stigma: Effectiveness of hearing about the normative experiences of others. Stigma And Health, 1(3), 201-205. doi:10.1037/sah0000028

Lannin, D. G., Vogel, D. L., Brenner, R. E., Abraham, W. T., & Heath, P. J. (2016). Does self-stigma reduce the probability of seeking mental health information?. Journal Of Counseling Psychology, 63(3), 351-358. doi:10.1037/cou0000108

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