Mental Health Stigma

Although much has improved in the current social climate of the world, there is still a great stigma surrounding mental health, more specifically in reaching out towards getting help. Because of this, over 50% of those who require help do not seek it due to fears revolving around discrimination and shame. However, mental health is equally as important as physical health and should not be neglected.

Stigma can come in many different forms, all just as harmful because they prevent individuals from getting proper help. Stigma comes from negative attitudes, perpetuated by the media, family and friends, the social climate, etc. It can be public, meaning that those who aren’t neurodivergent have these negative ideologies of those with mental illnesses, and it can be internalized, which refers to an individual harboring shame for his or her own mental illness.

Adding demographics such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. complicates things, as many minority communities experience greater discrimination for their mental illnesses. For example, in many immigrant communities, seeking out help for mental health related issues is looked down upon, and because of this, many ignore their declining mental state in favor of appealing to the social norm.

Furthermore, there are many negative stereotypes, such as the stereotype that neurodivergent people are violent and impulsive, perpetuated by misinformation in the media, by public figures, etc. that contribute as to why there is such an alarmingly low number of individuals who are treated for their mental illness.

Although one individual cannot reverse this stigma, there are things we can do to aid in the effort of reducing these harmful ideologies surrounding mental health: we can stimulate open conversations about mental health, can educate ourselves and others, can encourage equality, can be consciously aware of unconscious biases and stereotypes we may be holding unintentionally, can extend kindness, and much more.