Break the Stigma Around Mental Health; Here Are 8 Everyday Things You Can Do!

Sociologist Erving Goffman (1963), defined the term “Stigma” as an attribute that spoils a person’s identity, reducing him or her in others’ minds from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one.

Stigma can lead to negative consequences for that particular group or individual.

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Mental disorders are health conditions characterised by significant dysfunction in an individual’s cognitions, emotions, or behaviour. This reflects a disturbance on the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. These are not considered part of the normal development of an individual’s culture (American Psychiatric Association 2012).

Unfortunately, in our society, no one ever says “It is just tuberculosis, just get over it,” but same is not the case when someone is suffering from mental disorder or illness. People with mental illnesses are ashamed to reveal anything about their illness because of the negative connotation attached to the words “mental disorder”.

Mental disorder is not shameful, but the stigma is. Sadly, stigma aggravates the condition of people suffering from mental illness. Also, when it comes to mental health, in rural India it is still more common to see people taking that person to faith healers or temples than to professionals like psychologists or psychiatrists.

There was a study done in South India, which was published in American Journal of Psychiatry by Raghuram, Weiss, Mitchelle, Channabasavanna, Devins and Gerald on “Stigma, Depression and Somatization in South India.”

It was found that the tendency to perceive and report psychological distress is influenced by various social and cultural factors, including the degree of stigma associated with particular symptoms.

According to Graham C.L. Davey, mental health stigma is characterised by two distinct types: Social Stigma and Self-stigma.

Social stigma can be characterised by discriminating attitude, behaviour and prejudice against people suffering from mental illness. Self-stigma is the internalisation of discrimination and prejudice by the person who is suffering from mental illness.

In everyday lives, members of the society can play a significant role in reducing the stigma around mental health by taking few steps.

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1) Separating the individual from the disorder

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We should always remember that the mental illness or the disorder is just a part of that person and it does not define the person. Just by being a bit more mindful about the way we address the sufferers can play a significant role.

Instead of saying that “He is autistic,” or “She is schizophrenic,” one should say “He is suffering from autism,” or “she is having Schizophrenia.” Language matters. Let’s not use mental disorders as adjectives.

2) Acknowledge the facts

We should be able to ignore the myths and misconceptions related to mental health and different disorders and instead acknowledge the prevalent facts and reality and about it.

3) Education

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It is related to the earlier point. It is very important for each of us to educate ourselves as well as others regarding various mental health issues, illnesses and disorders. We spread knowledge about mental disorders to our friends, colleagues, family, etc. whenever possible.

4) Looking at them from a positive perspective

The disorder is just a part of the person. We should look at their various positive aspects – even they are responsible and make valuable contributions to the society. Let’s applaud their positive stories. Let’s see them beyond their mental illness.

5) Empathize

We can place ourselves in their shoes and look at the world from their perspective. We need to understand them, support them and encourage them to cope with their illness. We need to show compassion towards them. It’s something that they really need.

6) Inclusion

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We should include people with mental disorders in various aspects. In fact, in Canada, it is against the law to exclude people with mental health problems. They have every right to take an equal part in the society. Let’s not deny them of that. They have the right to live an empowered life.

7) Mental illness is not different from physical illness

It is very necessary to understand and accept the fact that both mental and physical illnesses are on the same level. If one is not being judged or seen negatively for asking a professional help for the pain in their abdomen, then who are we to judge them if they seek help for depressive symptoms?

8) Encouragement

We need to encourage and support people suffering from mental health disorders to come out and talk about the same openly. For example, recently Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone made a bold move by admitting that she was suffering from depression and anxiety. Encouragement can really help them be comfortable with themselves.

(Written By Riddhi Panchal, The MINDS Foundation)

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