Understanding Stigma: A Barrier to Mental Health

This article will examine the definition of stigma, its meaning, and its types, and also how to deal with it.

What is Stigma?

According to the sociological perspective, stigma constitutes attitudes and beliefs that society holds against those who go out of its determined norms. In terms of mental health, stigma is described as discriminatory behavior, prejudice, and social exclusion against individuals suffering from emotional disorders. Most of the time, disapprobation comes from unperceived biases, lack of knowledge, and cultural beliefs.

Stigma affects certain groups more than others. For example, males are more impacted by mental health stigma than females and black people more than white. Additionally, specific cultures and religions have more stigmatized views of mental health, including African, Asian, and Middle-Eastern Cultures. Stigma can also be targeted toward specific mental health diagnoses like schizophrenia.

Symptoms of Stigma

Stigma manifests in various detrimental ways:

• Social Isolation: 

 People with some form of mental health issues are likely to feel shunned while they are lonely, which could aggravate their disorder. 

• Discrimination: 

 Generally, stigmatized persons are often treated unequally in jobs, school, and health. 

• Internalized Shame:

 Continuous exposure to negative societal attitudes can lead individuals to internalize these beliefs, resulting in low self-esteem and reluctance to 

Internalized Shame: Persistent exposure to negative behaviors of society can make people believe these attitudes and internalize them, which can later result in low self-esteem and a reluctance to seek assistance.

Impact on Mental Health Care

The stigma surrounding mental health presents many challenges, especially in mental health care: 

• Underreporting:

 Fear of judgment prevents many from disclosing their mental health struggles, leading to a lack of accurate data and resources.

• Delayed Treatment: 

Treatment is often delayed as the patient opts for spiritual healers or traditional healers under the environment of societal pressure, before availing themselves of the proper medical intervention. 

• Resource Allocation: 

Stigma ensures that mental health is marginalized in public policy and therefore lacks funds and services.

How to Deal With Mental Health Stigma

There are things a person can do to deal with mental health stigma. Public stigma can be addressed through education, advocacy, support, and improving access to resources. Self or internal stigma can improve with therapy, talking with others, sharing stories, and seeking support from people with similar struggles. Institutional stigma can be addressed at the organizational or government level.

Here are some ways to deal with mental health stigma:

• Get treatment:

 Although mental health stigma makes it much harder to reach out for help, it’s important to overcome this and seek help anyway. A mental health provider can help you deal with the feelings of shame or reluctance caused by stigma.

• Don’t isolate yourself: 

It is important to seek out support from family and community, as isolation can worsen symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders.

• Join a support group: 

Joining a group of people who share similar struggles can make it easier to open up, helping people feel less alone with their problems and concerns.

• Learn about mental health: 

Getting education and information about mental health helps decrease stigma. Learning about the causes of mental illness and that it is not the person’s fault or caused by weakness can increase understanding and compassion.

• Talk to others who have mental health concerns: 

Talking with others who share similar concerns is a great way to validate and normalize experiences. It can help a person feel less isolated and alone and reduce stigma through understanding and compassion.

• Become familiar with available resources: 

One factor that fuels stigma is distrust or lack of access to available resources. Becoming educated about the types of resources available and how to access them can help. 

Breaking the Silence: Addressing Stigma

To combat mental health stigma, a multifaceted approach is essential:

• Public Awareness Campaigns: 

Utilizing media platforms to educate the public about mental health, debunk myths, and promote acceptance.

• Incorporating Mental Health Education: 

Introducing mental health topics in school curricula to foster understanding from a young age.

• Training Healthcare Professionals: 

Equipping medical personnel with the skills to address mental health issues sensitively and effectively.

• Policy Implementation:

 Advocating for mental health policies that ensure accessible and affordable care for all.

• Community Engagement:  

Alleged religious and community leaders are involved in creating a discourse where mental health issues are no longer stigmatized. 

Conclusion

A pressing need is to eliminate the mental health stigma to save the lives of its citizens. A society characterized by understanding and support would encourage mentally ill individuals to seek help without the risk of stigmatization. Breaking the stigma will need the collective effort of people, communities, and policymakers so that mental health will once again be thought of as a segment of health.