The Impact of Stigma and the Importance of Being Trauma-Informed

Professional Experience Article

As I reflect on my journey with mental health, both personally and professionally, I am reminded of the impact that casual conversation and language can have on the stigma we work so hard to end. For as long as I can remember, I have heard the names of diagnoses be used to describe everyday things like weather changes or simply an individual who expresses organic emotions that do not need to be defined or labeled, clinically.

When I entered the profession of mental health, I entered with my own history of trauma which contributed to bouts of crippling anxiety and depression. After separating from the Air Force, I encountered some great as well as a few not-so-great providers. I learned what it felt like to feel heard and unfortunately, on some occasions I learned what it felt like to be labeled. Taking the good with the bad, my own experiences led to a deeper level of empathy and understanding for individuals that I later encountered in my professional career. My personal experiences fueled my desire to hold space for people in need as well as advocate for individuals who experience various conditions to be treated fairly while being active members of society without being labeled and judged. After several years of working in the mental health field, I returned to school to become a therapist. I will never forget the emotions I felt when I wrote my letter of intent to submit with my application. I spoke about a few of my personal experiences and explained how this ignited my desire to become a therapist. Fast forward years later, after continuing to see the impact of stigma and labeling from “the other side”, I have the desire to speak on this topic through the eyes of a clinician.

In full transparency, I cringe when I hear anyone in the field speak with stigmatizing language or call consumers by the name of their diagnosis rather than describing them as the human they are at the core. This is the junction in which the importance of being trauma-informed needs to be magnified. To be able to provide trauma-informed care to the individuals and groups that we serve, we must first understand the impact that lived experiences and past traumas can have on someone. This would not only provide you with the ability to provide adequate treatment, but it also provides you with a better understanding of what could be contributing to certain symptoms from a biopsychosocial perspective. Labeling individuals, whether it be out of frustration or a general lack of understanding, contributes to the stigma that advocates and providers are working so hard to end. In addition to that, it may impede your ability as a provider to provide the care that the individual deserves and needs.

It is important to also be aware of the impact that stigmatizing language amongst providers can have. Mental health stigma not only impacts the consumers we serve, but it can also wreak havoc in the workplace. Stigma in the workplace or amongst colleagues can also impact a provider’s willingness to seek help for themselves out of fear of being labeled or judged. Instead of disclosing the need for help with managing difficult emotions or previously diagnosed mental illnesses, providers may attempt to navigate these difficulties themselves.

Providers who struggle with mental illness may avoid disclosing the need for help due to the fear of being perceived or labeled as not being competent or “stable” enough to do their job by their counterparts.

The effects of stigma are pervasive and can impact various areas of a person’s life. Effects of stigma may include:

-Social isolation and withdraw

-Feelings of shame

-Reluctance to seek treatment

-Early termination of treatment

-Low self-esteem

-Feelings of hopelessness and/or helplessness

It goes without saying that there is an ongoing need to continue the fight against stigma and hurtful labels. A few ways of fighting the stigma include but are not limited to:

-Take the time to learn about mental illness

-Become an advocate to break barriers

-Educate others about stigmatizing language

-Speak openly about mental illness

-Provide support to those suffering in silence; show that you care

Mental health is something that we should be speaking freely about, without the fear of stigma. Let’s focus on the bravery, resilience, and the courage of those who suffer silently out of fear of being judged. Let's focus on wellness. Let’s focus on fighting the stigma.

Joshualin "Jay" Dean is a Therapist in Tampa, Florida. Joshualin specializes in trauma with a population focus of victims of crime. Joshualin is skilled in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based techniques. Joshualin has experience working in inpatient psychiatric units, residential programs, and outpatient settings.