If We Want To End Mental Health Stigma It Will Take More Than Talking
Mental health stigma is a significant issue affecting our society. It refers to the discrimination and negative attitudes towards individuals with mental health conditions. Unfortunately, it is prevalent in many countries, not only in Australia. While mental health awareness campaigns have gained momentum in recent years, they may not be enough to combat stigma completely. More effort is required to change people’s attitudes and perceptions towards mental health problems.
The prevalence of mental health stigma
Mental health stigma is one of the primary reasons individuals with mental illnesses may refuse to seek treatment. According to research in Australia, approximately 35% of Australians report experiencing stigma or discrimination because of their mental health. This stigma can manifest in many different ways:
- Avoiding someone or keeping a distance once they discover they have a mental health condition
- Focusing on an individual’s mental health problems instead of their personality
- Assuming that individuals with mental health problems are dangerous or unstable
- Fearing that discussing mental health will make them appear weak or vulnerable
- Believing that people with mental health problems should “just snap out of it”
Why talking is not enough
While talking about mental health problems is an essential first step in addressing the issue, it is not enough to end the stigma. Changing people’s perceptions of mental health conditions requires collective effort from organizations, governments, and individuals.
Access to Treatment
One significant barrier to ending the stigma is a lack of access to treatment. In Australia, the waiting lists for mental health care can be incredibly long, resulting in many individuals with mental health conditions unable to access the help they need. Consistently underfunding mental health services also reduces the available resources to treat those suffering from mental health conditions. When treatment is unavailable, people with mental health issues can become isolated and feel unsupported, leading to further feelings of shame and exclusion. A lack of treatment options only reinforces the belief among those without mental health issues that people with mental health conditions aren’t capable of living a normal life.
Misconceptions about Mental Illnesses
Misconceptions about mental health conditions further contribute to stigma. Common stereotypes surrounding mental health are that it is a sign of weakness or that people with mental illnesses are dangerous. Also, media portrayal of mental health conditions often emphasises the sensational and the dramatic aspects rather than offering a realistic portrayal of an individual with mental health issues. These media portrayals reinforce negative attitudes towards those with mental health conditions and create unrealistic expectations for people suffering from mental illnesses. Inaccurate and misleading information about mental health conditions can prevent people from seeking the help they need, compounding the problem of stigma that plagues people seeking help.
How to reduce mental health stigma
To reduce mental health stigma, it is essential to take a comprehensive approach that tackles the issue on multiple levels, including:
Education and awareness
The first step towards reducing mental health stigma is education and awareness. Awareness campaigns, both in digital and print media, are good examples of ways to increase knowledge of mental health, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and encourage people to seek help.
Policy change
Policy change includes initiatives to increase funding and government support for mental health services, making treatment more accessible for individuals with mental health problems. Governments and policy makers should focus on creating sufficient mental health services to meet the needs of those suffering from such conditions. Improved mental health policies would help improve the quality of care accessible to people with mental health issues and decrease waiting times, resulting in faster treatment and assisting in reducing stigma associated with mental health issues.
Media portrayal of mental illness
The media can also play a role in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. The portrayal of people as real human beings – rather than stereotypes or caricatures – goes a long way in most areas, including mental health. By providing a more accurate representation of mental health conditions, the media can help reduce misconceptions surrounding mental health. The use of real people with mental health conditions in commercials and public campaigns to promote mental health services can provide positive examples of the fact that treatment can be beneficial and normalise mental health problems as an everyday part of life.
Encouraging people to talk
Overcoming the stigma associated with mental health requires more than just talking about it; it requires discussions that result in action. Encouraging people to seek help and to talk about their experiences without being judged or ostracised requires changes in the broader communities where individuals live. The establishment and channels of support for people to open up and receive responses without judgment and blaming is recommended. People in distress must feel that they can receive quality support no matter what their background or social status is.
Conclusion
Stigma associated with mental health is a critical issue that can hamper access to treatment and contribute to social isolation. While talking about mental health is a good first step, it is not enough to end the stigma completely. A comprehensive approach involving education and awareness, policy change, media portrayal of mental health, and encouraging people to talk is an ideal strategy to end Mental health stigma in Australia. By committing ourselves to this process, we can break down the barriers that are preventing individuals with mental illnesses from receiving the help they need and develop a mentally healthy society.
FAQs
FAQs About “If We Want To End Mental Health Stigma It Will Take More Than Talking”
1. What is the main message of the article?
The main message of the article is that talking about mental health is important, but it is not enough to end mental health stigma. Action needs to be taken by individuals, communities, and governments to address the root causes of mental health issues and reduce the discrimination and shame around mental illness.
2. Why is there still stigma surrounding mental health?
Stigma surrounding mental health still exists due to various factors, including lack of education and awareness about mental illness, societal attitudes towards mental health, and the portrayal of mental illness in the media. Many people still view mental illness as a weakness or a personal failure, rather than as a legitimate health issue that requires medical attention.
3. What can individuals do to help end mental health stigma?
Individuals can help end mental health stigma by educating themselves and others about mental illness, speaking openly about their own experiences with mental health, advocating for mental health resources and services, and challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes about mental illness. It’s also important to prioritize self-care and seek help when needed, as taking care of our own mental health can help break down the stigma surrounding mental illness.
References
1. Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002). Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness. World psychiatry, 1(1), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2002.tb00003.x
2. Pescosolido, B. A., Martin, J. K., Long, J. S., Medina, T. R., Phelan, J. C., & Link, B. G. (2010). “A disease like any other”? A decade of change in public reactions to schizophrenia, depression, and alcohol dependence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(11), 1321–1330. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.09121743
3. Sartorius, N. (2007). Stigma and mental health. The Lancet, 370(9590), 810–811. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61245-8