End Mental Health Stigma: Embrace Your True Identity
Stigma refers negative attitudes, beliefs and behaviors directed at individuals experiencing mental health issues. This presents in two main forms;
Public stigma- a societal perception of mental illness
Self stigma- whereby an individual internalizes negative perceptions about their mental illness, leading to feelings of shame and decreased self worth.
Key aspects of mental health stigma include;
Stereotyping; individuals with mental illness being portrayed as dangerous, incompetent or unreliable which hinders their ability to find work, develop relationships or access care.
Discrimination; stigmatization can lead to discrimination in healthcare, education and employment with individuals who don't seek help for fear of being judged or labelled.
Internalization; this occurs when an individual applies societal attitudes to themselves by way of feelings of shame, guilt and/or low self esteem. This can exacerbate their mental health symptoms and deter them from seeking professional intervention.
Labels; having a 'mental health label' can overshadow one's identity, reducing a person to being a 'condition' rather than a whole person.
Barriers to treatment; stigma as already indicated can prevent an individual from seeking help for their mental illness. These people fear judgement and ridicule from those they need love, support and understanding from! Family, friends and colleagues!
I am planning to discuss stigma at a later date. Keep these key points in mind when you encounter someone acting in an unusual manner, ensure they and those around them are safe and offer assistance. Don,t stare or ridicule and move on. A large percent of individuals with mental illness present no risk to the community.
Stigma refers negative attitudes, beliefs and behaviors directed at individuals experiencing mental health issues. This presents in two main forms;
Public stigma- a societal perception of mental illness
Self stigma- whereby an individual internalizes negative perceptions about their mental illness, leading to feelings of shame and decreased self worth.
Key aspects of mental health stigma include;
Stereotyping; individuals with mental illness being portrayed as dangerous, incompetent or unreliable which hinders their ability to find work, develop relationships or access care.
Discrimination; stigmatization can lead to discrimination in healthcare, education and employment with individuals who don't seek help for fear of being judged or labelled.
Internalization; this occurs when an individual applies societal attitudes to themselves by way of feelings of shame, guilt and/or low self esteem. This can exacerbate their mental health symptoms and deter them from seeking professional intervention.
Labels; having a 'mental health label' can overshadow one's identity, reducing a person to being a 'condition' rather than a whole person.
Barriers to treatment; stigma as already indicated can prevent an individual from seeking help for their mental illness. These people fear judgement and ridicule from those they need love, support and understanding from! Family, friends and colleagues!
I am planning to discuss stigma at a later date. Keep these key points in mind when you encounter someone acting in an unusual manner, ensure they and those around them are safe and offer assistance. Don,t stare or ridicule and move on. A large percent of individuals with mental illness present no risk to the community.
Stigma refers negative attitudes, beliefs and behaviors directed at individuals experiencing mental health issues. This presents in two main forms;
Public stigma- a societal perception of mental illness
Self stigma- whereby an individual internalizes negative perceptions about their mental illness, leading to feelings of shame and decreased self worth.
Key aspects of mental health stigma include;
Stereotyping; individuals with mental illness being portrayed as dangerous, incompetent or unreliable which hinders their ability to find work, develop relationships or access care.
Discrimination; stigmatization can lead to discrimination in healthcare, education and employment with individuals who don't seek help for fear of being judged or labelled.
Internalization; this occurs when an individual applies societal attitudes to themselves by way of feelings of shame, guilt and/or low self esteem. This can exacerbate their mental health symptoms and deter them from seeking professional intervention.
Labels; having a 'mental health label' can overshadow one's identity, reducing a person to being a 'condition' rather than a whole person.
Barriers to treatment; stigma as already indicated can prevent an individual from seeking help for their mental illness. These people fear judgement and ridicule from those they need love, support and understanding from! Family, friends and colleagues!
I am planning to discuss stigma at a later date. Keep these key points in mind when you encounter someone acting in an unusual manner, ensure they and those around them are safe and offer assistance. Don,t stare or ridicule and move on. A large percent of individuals with mental illness present no risk to the community.