Pledge to Fight the Stigma

Photo from: Stop Stigma - Murray PHNMurray PHN

stig·ma

[ˈstiɡmə]

NOUN

1. a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person:

   "the stigma of having gone to prison will always be with me" · "Debt has lost its stigma and is now a part of everyday life"  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma

* 7 Ways to Fight Stigma  

*What to Say/What Not to Say 

*Mental Health Stigma Quiz

7 WAYS YOU CAN FIGHT STIGMA

1 - LANGUAGE, LANGUAGE, LANGUAGE...

Words have a powerful impact way beyond the moments that they are uttered. It is so important to be aware of the importance of language and the effect of words. This is even more relevant and important when speaking about mental health or well-being issues. Expressing mental health disorders casually and flippantly can come across as condescending and stigmatizing. Saying things like, "Such a psycho," "That's such OCD behavior" or "crazy" are hurtful and can have devastating effects on people who already feel so vulnerable. Instead, effort should be made when referring to mental health challenges or speaking to people experiencing them to always use positive, dignified words that come across as friendly and empathetic and convey care, encouragement, and hope. In fact, using the correct language can destigmatize mental health. Don't joke about it!

2 - EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world” (de Villiers, 2015). According to NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Health, the statistics on mental health are staggering. One in five adults, almost 58 million Americans experience mental illness every year and one in twenty experiences serious mental illness. Meanwhile, one in six youth, ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for this age group. Mental health disorders affect people differently and symptoms vary. In many cultures, there are also widely held beliefs and negative stigmas about therapy and mental health. In addition, medical care, therapy, and other help are more available to some than others. Those who are most marginalized, disenfranchised, and discriminated against have the least access to adequate mental health care.  According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 26% of adults who are homeless are fighting a serious mental disorder. Vulnerable populations are also more at risk. According to NAMI, People who identify as LGBTQ are 2-3 times more likely to be suffering from a mental health disorder.  Educate yourself on the facts, recognize myths, and learn and understand the struggles and difficulties that mental health disorders bring. Then teach others. This is the first step to removing the stigmas and becoming an advocate.

3 - NORMALIZE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Talking openly about mental health removes the shame and empowers those who are suffering, to get counseling and any other help they need. Mental health is equally as important as physical health, and our conversations should reflect that. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the life span of those with serious mental illness is 25-30 years less than the general population. Depression has also been linked to cardiovascular disease and other physical ailments. Body and mind are inexorably linked; the more we acknowledge it, the more people will seek help. Speaking about mental health and illness as a "normal" health condition helps break the stigmas surrounding it, decreases bullying, and makes those suffering feel accepted, which motivates them to find healing. Being open about it can help increase employment and housing opportunities and acceptance and openness of family and friends, who can start viewing mental health as equally important and non-threatening as physical ailments. 

4 - REMOVE SELF-STIGMA

Photo from: Healthyplace.com 

Self-stigma is intertwined with shame and self-blame. A person who identifies as unworthy and unable to be anything will feel depressed. This leads to a vicious cycle of self-blame, loneliness, and internalized shame. To combat these self-effacing beliefs, one needs to educate themselves on the reality of mental health disorders, that it is biological and not a result of weakness or lack of abilities. Positive self-talk, affirmations, and mind-shifts will help a person deal with their depression but not be defined by it. Without the self-blame, a person will be open to counseling and healing, which will hopefully help build self-esteem and confidence; an important step in finding healing and living an emotionally healthy life.

5 - EXPRESS EMPATHY AND BE SYMPATHETIC

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Someone experiencing mental health issues is struggling in so many ways and it may be obvious or they might be trying to hide it. Stop the judgment and questions and just give support and encouragement; a kind word, a smile, dropping off dinner, inviting them to the movies and everything in between goes a long way in making them feel loved and accepted, and their pain a tiny bit less overwhelming. Make them feel understood, supported, and cared about, so they know that they are not alone. This will lessen the stigma both to the one suffering and for those around them and make and make it easier for them to deal with the mental health disorder and all of the challenges that come along with it. 

6 - SUPPORT AND EMPOWER

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Supporting those suffering from mental health disorders and challenges will empower them to seek counseling and other treatment quicker and have confidence in their healing journey. Be aware of warning signs and offer to help in any way possible. Offer to drive the person to appointments, keep them company, clean, cook, bring over a meal or snack, or take them out on a trip or for coffee. Remember the person is more than their mental illness and talk to them about other interests and passions they have. Always remember to be non-judgmental, sensitive, and patient. 

7 - DON'T BE AFRAID OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

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People struggling with mental health are not dangerous or scary as sometimes portrayed in movies or stereotyped by society. Do not fear them. They might sometimes act strange but they are not dangerous. Also, don't blame them for their mental illness. They are not to blame and are struggling so much, whether you see it or not.

Stop The Stigma Conversation

Some Tips on What to Say and What Not to Say

Do Say:

• "Thanks for opening up to me."
• "Is there anything I can do to help?"
• "I'm sorry to hear that. It must be tough."
• "I'm here for you when you need me."
• "I can't imagine what you're going through."
• "People do get better."
• "Oh man, that sucks."
• "Can I drive you to an appointment?"
• "How are you feeling today?"
• "I love you."

Don't Say:

• "It could be worse."
• "Just deal with it."
• "Snap out of it."
• "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
• "You may have brought this on yourself."
• "We've all been there."
• "You've got to pull yourself together."
• "Maybe try thinking happier thoughts."

Source: Psychiatry.org - Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness

Be Honest with Yourself 

Take the Mental Illness Stigma Quiz 

True or False:

1. There’s no real difference between the terms “mentally ill” and “has a mental illness.”
2. People with mental illness tend to be dangerous and unpredictable.
3. I would worry about my son or daughter marrying someone with a mental illness.
4. I’ve made fun of people with mental illness in the past.
5. I don’t know if I could trust a co-worker who has a mental illness.
6. I’m scared of or stay away from people who appear to have a mental illness.
7. People with a mental illness are lazy or weak and need to just “get over it.”
8. Once someone has a mental illness, they will never recover.
9. I would hesitate to hire someone with a history of mental illness.
10. I’ve used terms like “crazy,” “psycho,” “nut job,” or “retarded” in reference to someone with a mental illness.

The scoring is simple: One point for every true response. Unless your score is zero, you have had thoughts, feelings, or behaviors which can contribute to increased stigma toward people with mental illness. The higher your score, the more likely it is you have had these types of experiences. If you scored a zero, congratulate yourself.

Source: 5 Steps to Reduce Stigma About Mental Illness | Psychology Today

References

 American Psychiatric Association. (N.D.). Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

 

Barking and Dagenham Council. (2017, February 1). Breaking the Stigma - A short film about mental health. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dEcMsz6Bas

 

Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. (2019, October 16). How to Support Someone with Mental Illness. https://www.bbrfoundation.org/blog/how-support-someone-mental-illness

De Villers, W. (2017, July 17). Mandela’s belief that education can change the world is still a dream. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/mandelas-belief-that-education-can-change-the-world-is-still-a-dream-44858

 

Drexler, P. (2016, January 8). Why Do We Fear Mental Illness? Psychology Today. Why Do We Fear Mental Illness? | Psychology Today

 

Jagoo, K. (2021, July 30). How Using the Right Language Can Destigmatize Mental Illness. VeryWellMind. How Using the Right Language Can Destigmatize Mental Illness (verywellmind.com)

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Stigma. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma

 

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (N.D.). Mental Health by the Numbers. https://www.nami.org/mhstats

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (N.D.). Mental Health Facts MULTICULTURAL. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/MulticulturalMHFacts10-23-15.pdf

 

National Institute of Mental Health. (N.D.). Mental Illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

 

Psych Hub. (2020, April 8). How to Talk About Mental Health. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjqfJutZU8U&t=4s

 

Somapika, D. (2019, June 7). 9 Ways to Reduce Mental Health Stigma – Normalize The Struggles. HealthSpectra. https://www.healthspectra.com/reduce-mental-health-stigma/

 

US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2011, June). 2010 AHAR to Congress. https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/1872/2010-annual-homeless-assessment-report-ahar/

Volkow, N. D., Gordon, J. A., & Koob, G. F. (2021). Choosing appropriate language to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology, 46(13), 2230-2232. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-021-01069-4

YMCA. (2017, October 10). Your words matter - the stigma around mental health. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj0UdA28INk