Overcoming Mental Health Stigma and Asking for Help

Key takeaways

• Stigma

• Let’s Talk About It!

• Why It’s Okay to Say “I’m Not Okay”: Overcoming the Social Stereotypes of Mental Health

Stigma

Early cultures viewed mental illness as a form of religious punishment, possession or personal weakness. The mentally ill were often viewed as violent or unpredictable and the misguided perceptions about causes of mental illness often led to fear and discrimination. Negative attitudes about mental illness persisted into the 18th century where the primary form of treatment was in state hospitals, which were often underfunded unhygienic and degrading. The mentally ill were treated like outcasts, an attitude that persists today though not as apparent.

The attitudes towards mental health are still tainted towards ignorance. I turned 65 this August and my journey towards Medicare involved awareness about my own depression. It also involved breaking my own shame and letting family and friends in.

Depression, anxiety, counseling, medication and treatment were not topics talked about during the 50’s. There might have been whispers about family members’ behavior. No one openly took medicine or went to therapy. If they did, it was not a topic for discussion.

Let’s Talk About It!

This is the slogan that World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) uses for World Sexual Health Day, which is celebrated every September 4.Historically there was a fair amount of shame, discomfort, and stigma in discussing sexual issues. Sexual health only addressed disease and unwanted sexual outcomes. In 1975 the World Health Organization (WHO) developed and published a definition that went beyond the focus on the absence of disease or unwanted sexual outcomes.

Thinking about sexual health as something to enhance communication as well as being positively enriching was new. World organizations followed with definitions that added to the WHO definition. The Pan American Health Organization and the World Association of Sexology (WAS/now the World Association for Sexual Health) provided a longer version. In part: “ Sexual health is the experience of the ongoing process of physical, psychological and social-cultural well being related to sexuality. Sexual health is evidenced in the free and responsible expressions of sexual capabilities that foster harmonious personal and social wellness, enriching individual and social life. ” WAS/Pan American Health Organization

Why It’s Okay to Say “I’m Not Okay”: Overcoming the Social Stereotypes of Mental Health

Being honest about your mental health and how it’s affecting the way you feel or act around others takes courage. Though we’d all love to ignore that nagging voice in our head telling us something isn’t quite right, the truth is when we finally come to terms with a mental health condition and ask for help, we take the first step toward recovery.

Although mental health awareness has evolved in the past decades, many social stigmas remain intact that may undermine an individual’s choice to pursue individual therapy for anxiety, anger, family issues, grief, and so on. In fact, a common stereotype about individuals living with an illness like depression or substance abuse is that they, themselves, are to blame for their condition ( National Alliance of Mental Health ). Other misconceptions include mental illness being a sign of flawed character or that an individual living with a mental health condition is unstable or even dangerous.

Because of these negative perceptions, individuals may feel ashamed to ask for help or confide in loved ones for fear of ridicule or discrimination. You may even try to convince yourself that what you’re feeling is only temporary and you’ll feel better, if you just “try” harder. This happens when we internalize social stereotypes associated with mental health and let it dictate how we view ourselves and the world around us. And what may happen next is you try to hide your illness rather than seek professional mental health services, until the problem becomes too big for you to handle on your own.

When to reach out

If symptoms are affecting relationships, work, school, sleep, or daily routines, professional support can help you sort through what is happening and choose a realistic next step.

MHCS provides therapy and mental health support for individuals, couples, families, teens, and adults.