Mental health destigmatization is a term many are not familiar with, but it is essential for raising awareness of the stigmas that are placed around mental illnesses. In the United States, the national average, according to the U.S. National Stigma Studies, being labeled with a stigma just because of mental illness is 40%. That's a significant number, and many are afraid of the phrase "mental illness," and this same fear is what often contributes to labels.
The people with illnesses that often feel this are people who suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. They are frequently misjudged by friends, family members, social media, or colleagues who do not understand their condition. These stigmas can trail behind for life. Therefore, it is imperative to brainstorm what should be done to destigmatize the negative thoughts and feelings behind these stigmas. Here's where to start.
What Is Mental Health Destigmatization?
Mental health destigmatization is the process of removing the stigmas, raising awareness, and educating oneself about what it's like to live with a mental illness. Support is everything, but this begins with understanding why stigmas around mental health exist. Mental health destigmatization is designed to help get rid of negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions about mental illness. But how can a different perspective be garnered?
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests learning why these stigmas exist in the first place. The reason this should be done is to avoid awakening or exacerbating the symptoms of mental illness. Even simply talking about this for some people can make their symptoms worse, and they're more likely to avoid treatment for fear of being stigmatized by a professional. Here's what you can do to help destigmatize these illnesses.
If you don't know someone with a mental illness, try to take the time to get to know one and ask them about mental health destigmatization. For example, ask questions and make them feel validated and unafraid to share their feelings, and if they're scared to visit a licensed medical professional, offer to go with them and assure them they're not alone. Support goes a long way and, along with education, is the key to helping end the stigmatization that gives way to invalidation.
Statistics of People Living With A Stigma
Another vital piece of information to know about the stigmas surrounding mental illnesses is the statistics of those who are living with a stigma given by a family, friend, social media, or colleague. It's astoundingly larger than one would think and affects 9 out of 10 people in the United States, according to Medical News Today. Stigmas have a profoundly negative impact on those living with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Moreover, the number of these individuals seeking medical treatment is low. The British Journal of Psychology conducted a 12-month study to determine the statistics of those with depression and how stigmatization played a role in the apprehensiveness of getting treatment. The study revealed that only 16.5% of people suffering from depression seek treatment, and stigmas are the leading cause.
That's a pretty small number compared to the 50% that will experience some mental health emergency in their lifetime. These numbers will only continue to rise if more awareness about mental health destigmatization is not raised. The more awareness that's raised, the more you'll begin to understand the labels that are tacked onto mental illness. There are many ways to raise awareness. Let's take a look at what you can do.
How To Raise Proper Awareness
Contributing to mental health awareness and the stigma behind mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder starts with you. You don't have to ask a professional how to get it done. With the importance of destigmatizing mental illness at the forefront of your mind, get out there and attend webinars through Mental Health America (MHA) or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
These webinars are designed to address the struggles and stigmas, provide support, and hear from those who live with these conditions in real-time. You'll even be able to obtain resources on Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) and educate yourself and those around you on how to adequately address mental health crises to prevent negative thoughts and give a voice to those who need it.
The month of May each year is devoted to raising awareness and addressing the stigmas that so many people with mental illnesses face every day. One of the most notable events, the NAMI Walk, raises money for more awareness, and all funds obtained from donations are used to provide free mental health resources. So, check out events in your area if you want to learn more about destigmatization and awareness.
Final Thoughts
Living with a mental illness can be difficult, especially for those who don't understand what it's like. However, understanding mental health destigmatization is the first step to becoming more aware. Make sure to attend webinars or seminars or make friends with someone who has a mental illness because they are no different than anyone else. So, let's erase the stigma and educate ourselves.
You'll be surprised at how much you'll learn, and you may even be motivated to attend a class or two about mental health destigmatization. No matter what, make sure to be positive; at the very least, you'll walk away with a different perspective than you had initially. What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the world what mental health destigmatization is all about.
Disclaimer: This article provides information that does not replace physician advice. Please get in touch with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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