Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health
There is no doubt that the stigma of mental health is still a problem in the United States. Mental health is a topic that some are very comfortable discussing, while others shy away, or dismiss entirely. This stigma can lead to many negative consequences such as hindering open conversations, perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and forcing individuals to suffer in silence. Nobody wants to be “that person.” This is a false notion and way of thinking, since most of us have suffered from some type of mental health problem or concern at one point or another in our lives, even though it may not meet a diagnostic criterion. Life is hard and there are so many factors that can lead a person to experience anxiety and depression. Because of this stigma, people fear judgment and alienation, which can lead to a reluctance to seek professional help or confide in loved ones. In turn, untreated mental health conditions may exacerbate, causing profound personal and societal problems such as relationship issues, divorce, addiction, loss of employment, and even suicide.
To tackle the stigma of mental health, people need to talk about it. And not just talk about it, but share personal aspects of their own struggles, if they are willing and able to do so without causing harm to themselves. Silence leads to feeding the unspoken notion that mental health is not an appropriate topic to discuss. Silence upholds the status quo.
To add to that, empathy and compassion are essential. Instead of judgment and indifference, fostering understanding and support can create an environment where individuals feel safe to share their struggles. Empathy enables us to put ourselves in others' situations, understanding that mental health challenges can be as debilitating as physical ailments. By being compassionate and listening without judgment, we create a foundation for positive change.
As humans, we should take care of our minds just as we take care of our bodies. Our brain is one of the largest organs in our body and experiences thousands of thoughts per day. There is every reason to take care of our mental health, just as we would take care of physical health. It is not reasonable to expect that a person’s mind will always function in an optimal state, just as it would not be reasonable that our bodies would not need a tune up or experience a problem at times.
The increasing normalization of seeing a therapist has been an excellent breakthrough in helping to decrease the stigma of mental health, as well many brave individuals online who openly share their challenges to spread awareness and allow others to know they are not alone. Our society is coming to understand the incredible need for mental health support for adults and children. In school settings, there are districts that are implementing social-emotional curriculum as a part of regular teaching to help students become aware of their emotions and in turn have better mental health at a much earlier age. However, there is still a long way to go for accessing services and implementation of knowledge of mental wellbeing in schools. We are a society need to continue to push for this need in every way we are able.
Breaking the stigma of mental health is a collective responsibility we all participate in that requires empathy, understanding, and education. By replacing judgment with compassion, fostering open conversations, and supporting mental health services, we can break the stigma of mental health. It is through collective efforts that we can pave the way for a future where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health, and no one feels isolated or afraid to seek the help they need.