7 Ways to Get Rid of Mental Health Stigma
Mental health stigma is a huge problem. The majority of people with mental health conditions report experiencing stigma and discrimination. This can be incredibly harmful, as it prevents people from seeking help and can lead to isolation and further mental health problems. However, there are ways to get rid of mental health stigma. By learning about these methods and using them yourself, you can help break down the barriers that prevent people from getting the help they need.
1. Speak Out About Your Mental Health
As advised by several experts, for example, Dr. Jason Campbell, the best way to break down mental health stigma is by talking about it openly and honestly. When you share your own experiences, you let people know that they are not alone and encourage them to help themselves.
2. Ensure Your Language Is Inclusive
Words can be incredibly powerful – for better or for worse. When discussing mental health issues, people’s words make a big difference in perceiving them. For example, using terms like ‘mentally defective’ trivializes mental illness and makes it seem less of a problem than it is. It’s important to speak about the whole person rather than just their illness or condition, as this reduces stigma and encourages acceptance of all identities. Using respectful language that avoids negative stereotypes helps remove barriers to treatment by avoiding alienating those affected by mental health conditions.
3. Pay Attention to Your Reactions
The way you react when someone discloses their mental illness can have a big impact on how much support they receive and whether or not they choose to continue talking about it with you in the future. It is important to remember that many people will not function normally in everyday life without receiving treatment for their condition. For example, if someone tells you that they have bipolar disorder, it can help to remember that this is just one element of their identity and ask what services or treatments work best. You can show your support by offering practical assistance – helping them find the right treatment options, for example – but avoiding pitying looks or comments about how brave they are for speaking out.
4. Educate Yourself About Mental Health
It’s important to have a basic understanding of mental health conditions so that you can approach discussions about them respectfully. You don’t need to be an expert, but simply understanding what different conditions entail will help you avoid saying things that could further stigmatize mental illness.
5. Challenge the Myths and Stereotypes About Mental Health
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about mental health, and it’s important to challenge these whenever you come across them. Doing so helps to reduce mental health stigma and encourages people to seek help when they need it.
6. Stand Up to Discrimination and Exclusion
Sadly, many people with mental health conditions still experience discrimination and exclusion from society. This can take many forms, such as being denied a job or housing because of your mental illness or being made to feel like you’re not good enough because of it. It’s important to stand up against this type of discrimination and ensure that everyone is treated equally, regardless of their mental health status.
7. Promote Positive Images of Mental Health
It’s also important to promote positive images of mental health so that people don’t just see mental illness as a negative thing. This can be done by sharing inspiring stories about people who have overcome mental health conditions or by raising awareness of the many different ways that mental health can be expressed.
By following these tips, you can help reduce the stigma around mental health and make it easier for everyone to get the support they need.