3 minute read
Destigmatizing
HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH
Destigmatizing Mental Health
HOW YOU CAN BE PART OF CULTURE’S CHANGING PERCEPTION
By Dylan Roche
Let’s start with the good news—the stigma surrounding mental illness and mental health disorders is declining. According to a 2019 survey on behalf of the American Psychological Association, 87 percent of respondents said somebody should not be ashamed of having a mental health disorder.
The bad news? The stigma isn’t entirely eradicated. That same survey found nearly one-third of people agreed with the statement “People with mental health disorders scare me.”
As a way of educating more members of the public to be aware of mental and behavioral health issues, and to celebrate the successes of those who live with them (and overcome them!) every day, experts across the nation recognize May as Mental Health Month by According to a 2019 survey 87%
American Psychological Association
The same survey found nearly 1/3
encouraging discussion, offering resources, and seeking to help society understand what mental health is—and what it isn’t. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an estimated one-fourth of American adults battles a diagnosable mental disorder. These could take the form of anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, or other conditions.
The problem with the stigma surrounding mental health disorders is that it makes it harder for people to seek treatment. In some cases, they might just be worried their friends or family will perceive them differently if they know about their diagnosis. In other cases, their health insurance won’t cover treatment, or they face discrimination at work because their condition isn’t seen as a “real” medical problem.
Whether you struggle with a mental health disorder yourself or you are close to somebody who does, there are practical ways you can work to reduce the stigma. Here’s how to get started:
Always be open to learning more. The first step to reducing stigma is to educate yourself about it. You could do this about mental health in general, or you could learn about the specific condition affecting a friend or family member. Knowing what this condition entails will help you become more understanding of why a loved one is behaving the way they are. You will also be able to separate fact from misconception about the condition, thus reducing the fear or shame associated with it.
Evaluate your own sense of stigma about
yourself or those around you. Many people with mental health disorders will advocate acceptance and de-stigmatization while they themselves remain quiet about their own struggles. Nobody should have to open up about something private if they feel uncomfortable about it (especially when it comes to their health), but it’s important to acknowledge to yourself that you have no reason to be embarrassed. The more you open up about your own mental health struggles, the more you will find that people relate to what you’re going through and will feel comfortable opening up about their own experience.
If it helps, refer to yourself (and others) with person-first language. For example, tell people you “have schizophrenia” instead of “are schizophrenic.” This ensures that neither you nor anyone else sees you as somebody who is defined by their condition.
Treat mental health the way you would physical
health. Along the same lines of evaluating your own sense of stigma, you should strive to perceive mental illness the same way you would physical illness. You wouldn’t avoid seeking treatment for heart disease, cancer, or diabetes—why wouldn’t you take the same responsibility when it comes to mental health disorders?
