The Importance of Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma and Seeking Help
Mental illness is an illness that affects many lives, so it is crucial that we become informed and seek treatment if necessary.
Public stigma refers to negative stereotypes associated with behavioral health conditions that result in discrimination or reduced access to care and resources.
It’s Not Your Fault
People suffering from mental health issues are often misdiagnosed or don’t receive appropriate care due to stigma surrounding mental illness. Many fear that their condition will ruin their lives or diminish their abilities in performing at their job or caring for their family.
Maintaining a healthy mind is vital to our emotions, thinking, communication and learning processes, as well as for hope, resilience and self-esteem. Furthermore, having an invigorating mental state allows us to overcome adversity more readily while managing relationships, jobs and other aspects of life more successfully.
Mental illnesses don’t choose their condition, nor is it anyone’s responsibility. Mental illnesses affect all ages, races and religions without regard for intelligence or character and can manifest with symptoms like anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and panic attacks – leaving those living with them feeling powerless over them despite treatment options available that can reduce or eliminate symptoms altogether.
You’re Not Alone
People living with mental illness are frequently subjected to stigma – inaccurate stereotypes which make someone feel ashamed and diminished – leading to discrimination against them in employment or relationships, or making them fearful to reach out for help.
At all times it is essential to remember that each individual is unique and mental health affects them differently. We should never use negative stigma against another to judge or discriminate them and it should never happen on your watch!
Help reduce stigma by speaking up when insensitive comments or media stereotypes arise, reporting them through SANE’s StigmaWatch system, or signing the pledge to eliminate stigma altogether. People living with mental health conditions deserve the same respect and acceptance as any other members of society – they live next door, teach your children or sit in your office cubicle; all deserve respect and acceptance.
You’re Not Broken
Mental health conditions can be just as debilitating as heart disease, diabetes or cancer in their impact. They may interfere with work and personal relationships and, left untreated, could even lead to suicide or substance abuse – yet many remain reluctant to seek assistance due to stigma surrounding mental illness.
Mental wellbeing is crucial to overall well-being, including your self-esteem and social confidence. Furthermore, good mental health helps us cope with life’s many challenges and stresses more easily.
By learning more about mental illness, breaking stigma and seeking assistance becomes simpler. When you spot the signs of mental distress among friends or family members, show respect and understanding; show them they don’t bear responsibility and that seeking treatment shows strength – McLean Hospital offers reliable information resources on mental health matters that you can use as resources against stigmatism. Educating yourself and those you care for about mental health matters is one way to fight it head on.
It’s Treatable
Due to stigma associated with mental health treatment, many people avoid seeking assistance due to anxiety. Unfortunately, this can result in isolation, lack of support from family and friends, inability to keep jobs or maintain relationships, among other problems; sometimes this stigma even drives someone towards suicide.
Mental illness is treatable. Research shows that with proper diagnosis and therapy, individuals can manage their symptoms to live a fulfilling life. Indeed, most mental health conditions are just as treatable as heart disease or cancer.
Assist in breaking down stigmatism by opening up about your experiences and encouraging others to seek treatment. Utilize person-centric language when discussing mental illness; this can also set the record straight when inaccurate or negative information arises in media or from other sources.
