Stigma Associated with Mental Health
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the General Support Community!
Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness surrounding mental health & stigma.
Social stigma is what most people think of when they think of stigma. In general, social stigma refers to supporting stereotypes about individuals with a mental illness.
Commonly heard phrases and stereotypes:
You are just sad.
Snap out of it
Smile more
It's just a bad day, you will get over it
Dont feel sorry for yourself all the time.
1. What causes stigma?
🔺Lack of knowledge and awareness
🔺Media
🔺Societal pressures
🔺Misinformation
🔺Fear of the unknown
🔺Economic instability
🔺Use of unsupportive language towards people with mental health conditions
2. Effects of Stigma
🔺Lack of support
🔺Impairs the ability to seek treatment
🔺Low self-esteem
🔺Shame and guilt
🔺 Isolation
3. Strategies for Coping with a Mental Illness
Practice self-care |Use positive affirmations |Read stories about others, it will help you know that you are not alone| Learn more about ways to fight stigma.
4. How to support family, friends or someone you know is living with a mental illness?
What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation. – Glenn Close.
Watch this clip and answer the following questions!
1. What are some other stereotypes related to mental health?
2. What are some barriers people face today with access to treatment and support?
3. What healing words would you use for a person suffering emotionally?
4. How do you feel about the information shared in the video?
5.What is your take away message from this discussion?
Source-tinyurl.com/ybbxlaud
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@Tazzie
1. What are some other stereotypes related to mental health? Lazy, attention-seekers, psychos, dangerous people, etc.
2. What are some barriers people face today with access to treatment and support? That support isn't readily available and/or the treatment is expensive for them.
3. What healing words would you use for a person suffering emotionally? The way you feel is normal and isn't something you need to be ashamed about.
4. How do you feel about the information shared in the video? I feel it's something that everyone should know by now but I'm also glad it's still being shared.
5. What is your take away message from this discussion? That just being there or someone and being open to talking about what they're going through can go a long way in helping them.
1. What are some other stereotypes related to mental health? That someone is just being lazy, an attention-seeker, a trouble-maker, over-dramatic, etc.
2. What are some barriers people face today with access to treatment and support? Costs of treatment (therapy ain't cheap), transportation, waitlists that can go on for months, lack of appropriate treatment facilities and resources, lack of properly trained practitioners, cultural or language barriers, anxiety around the therapeutic process (i.e having to open up to a complete stranger), difficulty navigating the health system, fear of being seen as weak or crazy by family, friends, and society as a whole, difficulty in getting people (this includes mental health practitioners) to take you seriously.
3. What healing words would you use for a person suffering emotionally? I see you. Even if it feels like you're all alone, like you're the only one in the world who is feeling this way and that no one could understand what it's like, I see you.
4. How do you feel about the information shared in the video? I think it's a nice video that's easier to understand and can spark more discussion regarding mental health.
5.What is your take away message from this discussion? We need to continue to bring awareness to mental health issues and fighting against stigmas that permeate our society.
1. What are some other stereotypes related to mental health?
--> Some common stereotypes are that new generations are getting too sensitive; people who have depression or anxiety are just "thinking too much"; people with psychotic/dissociative disorders are dangerous; those with BPD are inherently manipulative; a good diet solves everything; being depressed is "edgy";...
2. What are some barriers people face today with access to treatment and support?
--> Financial issues, other people's judgement, misconceptions, lack of awareness (especially in POC communities),...
3. What healing words would you use for a person suffering emotionally?
--> Open-mindedness, empathy and patience are key factors. Personally, I find "Whenever you feel like talking about it, I'll be all ears." is one of the best things to say.
4. How do you feel about the information shared in the video?
--> I feel that the message of the video is important and needs to keep being spread.
5. What is your take away message from this discussion?
--> I am reminded to keep fighting the stigmas and trying to be a good supporter for those who are affected.
@Tazzie
Thanks so much for posting this. The mental health stigma is such an issue in our society and it is stopping people from getting the resources they need. I'm glad you brought this up and brought it to everyones attention!
@Tazzie I was told to snap out of it before, and it made me feel invalidated
