by Grace Manning, Head Writer This past week, the Mental Health Conference organized by the Psychology Society provided an opportunity for students, staff, and peers who are alike to come together and discuss the ever so prevalent topic of mental health. We all have mental health as it is an essential aspect of our overall being. In fact, it is as important as the heart and brain that keep us alive every day. However, if mental health is so important, how come treatment is not always considered by those who may need it most? If you were to sprain your ankle, your first instinct would be to visit a doctor, so why do individuals not have that same instinct in taking care of their emotional well-being? The answer is stigma. What is Stigma?Stigma can be defined as the “mark of disgrace”, the shame, or discredit imposed on an individual. How stigma can occur in relation to mental health is the way in which society places blame, shame, or disapproval on people who live with or get treatment for their mental health. Stigma is a feeling that is riddled with guilt or shame for seeking help in a world that is just beginning to grasp what mental health truly is, why it is important, and how to support those who need it most. This sense of stigma can be incredibly isolating as a result. Stigma is not always necessarily direct as it can also come from others. It is a very unspoken feeling, an unwritten rule of how to act in a way that is approved by your peers and the world in general. It can be seen as a sign, an indicator of weakness or failure. Stigma can come from within as well. We are our toughest critics, and stigma can be a self-imposed blame, fear, shame, or even denial. Stigma can have major impacts on our self-esteem, making us feel as though our identity is equated with the complications of our mental health. With all this constant pressure, it is no wonder that stigma is one of the number one reasons why those who need treatment for their mental health will often never get it. Destigmatizing Mental Health: Where do we go from here? There is a lot of work to be done in order to take the stigma out of mental health. Education is the first and foremost way to change the narrative about stigma, whether publicly or privately. As a society, educating others about mental health can structurally change the outlook of it by increasing the general knowledge surrounding the subject and promoting a more positive view. Educating yourself privately can also be helpful, whether it is for yourself or for a loved one, knowing how to care for one’s mental health comes with great strength. Activism and general awareness is another way to take the stigma out of mental health. Support the organizations, sign the petitions, donate to charities, promote and enhance the voices of the individuals who are making a difference all in the name of mental health.
Grace is an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, and a Head Writer on GetPsyched. Are you interested in submitting a post to GetPsyched? Make sure you fill out our submission form and send it back to us so we can showcase your ideas! Edited by Fatima Ghori. References
Thornicroft, G., Mehta, N., Clement, S., Evans-Lacko, S., Doherty, M., Rose, D., Koschorke, M., Shidhaye, R., O’Reilly, C., & Henderson, C. (2016). Evidence for effective interventions to reduce mental-health-related stigma and discrimination. The Lancet (British Edition), 387(10023), 1123–1132. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00298-6
Additional Resources
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2017, May 24). Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477 Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). 5 steps to reduce stigma about mental illness. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-recovery-coach/201903/5-steps-reduce-stigma-about-mental-illness
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Want to contribute?If you'd like to share your own content on GetPsyched, download, complete and send this form to our email: Archives
March 2023
Categories
All
Blog CommitteeThis blog has been running thanks to a wonderful committee of students dedicated to uplifting student voices! Read about them here: |