In society, people often stigmatize mental health issues due to a lack of understanding about them, having a false negative perspective, lots of prejudice associated with it, and of course lots of myths about it. The main cause of stigma and taboo behind mental illness is lack of communication. The more often we communicate about things the better and deeper understanding we have, but stigma hinders the communication. So to break the stigma we have to start the conversation. The conversation starts with yourself first. Start asking yourself how are you feeling today, what things make you happy, and what things make you sad or depressed.
The next step is having a conversation with your loved ones and family members. Ask them how are they feeling, and try to help them at their lowest points. By acknowledging their emotions we can make them more comfortable.
We often overlook such issues, but in the long term, they are damaging the whole system, our education system, the health sector, and the whole economy.

Harmful effects of stigma about mental health

1. Restricts the scope of communication:
Stigma leads to reluctance to communicate, which ultimately stops people to seek help.
2. Discrimination against mentally ill persons:
Stigma can be a reason for discrimination. People due to having a negative perception often discriminate against people struggling with mental illness. Discrimination can be both emotional and physical. People often judge a person struggling with mental illness to be violent or unstable which is why they try to maintain a distance or avoid communication with them.

3. Lesser opportunities in the work field:
People often judge mentally ill persons to be unfit for professional work. There is prejudice about them that they are unstable, disciplined, and non-reliable. But this is not true even though lots of scientific studies have proven that not all people struggling with mental illness are unsuitable for professional work field, but still, there are lots of lacking in awareness.

4. Bullying and harassment:
Mentally ill people often are more prone to bullying and harassment. There are greater chances of physical violence with them in the work field and even at home.

5. Isolation and negligence:
Being stigmatized mentally ill people often feel isolated and neglected by their loved ones and family members which even worsens their problems. There is also a lack of understanding among family members, colleagues, friends, and co-workers.

6. Inadequate health support:
Even health insurance companies do not always cover mental health and even if sometimes they do that is inadequate or partially covered.

These are only a few impacts of the stigma associated with mental illness, the list is non-exhaustive. The impact is huge and serious.

Breaking the Stigma:
The conversation is the key. The more we talk about it, the better understanding we have; more knowledge less myth ultimately lesser the stigma!
As I have mentioned earlier start the conversation with yourself first. Acknowledging your emotions gives you a deeper understanding to deal with them. Talk to your friends, family members, colleagues, and others. Listen to them. Acknowledge their feelings too. Start an open conversation on your social media accounts too, share your stories, and ask others to share theirs.
Start open conversations in family groups too. Encourage others to speak up. Appreciate them if they open up. Try to listen to them without being judgemental about their thoughts and feelings. Help yourself and others to seek professional help. At Glexpace we help you to be more vocal about your thoughts and feelings, the discussions you have with experts are completely confidential.
Mental health is a serious issue and the stigma associated with it makes it even worse. It diminishes the possible scope of progress. The more we talk the more we win!




 

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