Freedom From Stigma

1. I have been supportive and understanding of others 2. I plan to show through my own actions that the stigma surrounding much mental health is unfounded

What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?

I've been using person-first vocab for a long time and always explain it to others when I hear people using less appropriate language. Mostly I get "Oh, that makes sense" so it never hurts to just explain it to someone who may have not even thought about it! And always keep an open mind when other people are correcting you, even if you didn't think you were doing anything wrong. For example, person-first sometimes isn't preferred in the autistic community, so even if you thought you were reducing stigma, it ended up being the opposite of what the actual community wants! Always learning :)

What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?

Just keeping an open ear for new developments and not being stuck in my old ways just because that's what was right at the time I learned it.

1. I (politely) correct people if I hear them using incorrect terms or terms that could be considered insensitive/hurtful. 2. I have become much more open about my own experiences as of late, but I can absolutely open up more. Perhaps organize a support group?

What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?

I continually seek more information, education about mental health conditions/challenges and personally learning about my own mental health. I am also becoming more aware of how mental health affects me and labeling my emotions/feelings/thoughts and trying to understand why.

What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?

I am currently get trained to become a Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist and Suicide & Crisis Prevention Specialist.

In terms of erasing stigma now, I have been using my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology to shine a light on mental illness and how it impacts more people than we may realize on a day-to-day basis! I also have been supportive of others going to therapy, taking medications for their mental illnesses, and doing whatever is positive/helpful to cope with the mental struggles they face! I try to give people with mental illness lots of credit because I personally know that it isn't easy to deal with!! To erase stigma in the future, I plan on pursuing a career in counseling and get a Master's Degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology! I'd like to allow other people with mental illness to have a place where they feel, seen, heard, validated, and safe!

1. What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?

Using respectful language and educating myself about various mental health-related problems to avoid misunderstanding.

2. What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?

One day I want to share how it actually feels like to live with depression and how I conquer it, so public will understand more about it and people with depression will know that someone understands and that there are kind people who will help them going through it.

- What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?

I've been focusing on gender and sexuality related stigma, trying to create more dialogue about it to let people familarize with realities different from their own, and supporting those who are affected by the stigma

- What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?

I plan to keep doing my best with the work I've done so far, and improving it by taking part in more live events as soon as the pandemic will be over

@competentParadise6344

1. What have you been doing in terms of erasing stigma?

I try to be more honest about having mental problems when talking with all health professionals. I also told my new employers that I have mental health problems.

2. What are you planning to do in terms of erasing stigma?

I would like to be more open about having mental health problems.

This is a very sensitive subject for me because I get mentally abused from my own so-called family for having mental health problems.