Mental Health has been in the news for quite a while now. According to newly released statistics, the rate of Mental Illness (specifically PTSD and Depression) among the US Military has been on the rise over the past few years. In fact, the rates had tripled. This is a huge concern, as it is clear that this problem is affecting more and more people, and is becoming more and more complicated to treat.
Since the 1960s, mental health has been stigmatized in society. People with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been ostracized, discriminated against, and forced into the shadows due to the fear of their being stigmatized themselves. While refusal to treat can have detrimental effects on the individual, the general population should not ostracize those struggling with mental illness.
Mental illness is a serious issue that affects one in four people, and is becoming more prevalent over time. In the United States alone, 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. While there are many terms used to describe mental illness (e.g. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.), the first step is often to understand the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Sadly, stigma can be dangerous, and can prevent someone from seeking help or even receiving proper treatment.. Read more about end the stigma mental health and let us know what you think. Although the mental health sector has seen significant improvements and advances in technology, accessibility and research over the last decade, conversations about mental health are still surrounded by a negative stigma. Talking about psychological therapy and treatment is still considered taboo in many fields, while misunderstandings and misinformation persist on topics related to medicine and management practices.
More open and positive conversations about therapy are a good way to end the negative stigma surrounding these conversations. You don’t have to have a degree to be educated and knowledgeable. While you should do your best to be corrected, there are some basic pros and cons to consider when taking the initiative to have an open conversation about mental health.
What you must not do
It’s important to note that there’s no official list of things to avoid in conversations; everyone feels differently about different topics, and if you’re not sure what’s off limits and what shouldn’t be discussed, a mental health professional can help you get your thoughts straight. Online services, such as. B. MyTherapist, can connect you with a counselor who can answer your mental health questions and concerns.
Self-mocking jokes
To facilitate an open discussion, it is usually necessary to create a comfortable environment for communication. Self-mockery jokes usually revolve around self-mockery in the form of black humor. For some people, this can lead to an uncomfortable situation: If they are not yet used to talking about mental illness, they may not know how to respond to a self-deprecating joke about it.
Self diagnosis: Charges and incentives
The purpose of talking about mental health need not be to diagnose oneself and others; moreover, when someone suggests that they might have a mental illness, accusing them of self-diagnosis is another negative reaction. Self-diagnosis is saying you have a disease without seeing a specialist, often just based on similar symptoms you’ve seen online or heard from others. Instead, you and your colleagues can steer the conversation toward treatment options and recommend a formal diagnosis if someone fears they have the disease.
How you can help
Unlike the lack of an official list of absolutes, there are a few absolutes worth mentioning to normalize the discussion of mental health. While it is always best to consult a psychologist, there are some ways to create an open and supportive environment.
Research task
You don’t have to become an expert overnight, but it is important to rely on evidence and research to have a more accurate conversation. It’s like discussing a study or article about a new economic development and citing the information you have to support or refute the news.
Understanding the differences
One of the main reasons why it is important to do your own research from time to time is that everyone’s circumstances may be different. While there are some common symptoms and tests that can be done for an official diagnosis, the nuances can be quite different from the perspective of a friend, family member or colleague. This does not necessarily mean that the person is not suffering from a mental illness; a seemingly happy and productive person can suffer from what is known as depression or high-level anxiety.
Normalization therapy
Even the experts are constantly learning. It is therefore important that people feel they can turn to a spiritual counsellor in the event of disagreements or differences of opinion. Normalization of therapy with general lifestyle advice, preventive measures and regular checkups can help end the negative stigma. You can go there if you are suffering from a mental health problem or mental illness, but also if you are looking for advice on stress in everyday life, family problems or even life decisions. In a society where many people suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, stigma is still a major issue. The stigma of mental health disorders often keeps people from talking about their struggles, and from seeking the support they need. In the past few years, we’ve seen more open discussions about mental health disorders in our culture, bringing about greater awareness and an increased sense of vulnerability. This kind of openness is an incredible step in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go.. Read more about stigma reduction strategies and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can we end mental health stigma?
Mental health is a topic that often is not talked about, and yet it is something that can affect us all. Mental illness is not a sign of weakness, it is just a different kind of strength. Mental illness is not something that you are cured of, it is something you are aware of and learn to live with every day. The stigma surrounding mental health disorders is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. If we don’t, the mental health community will continue to struggle to receive the funding it needs to provide care. People with mental health issues are more likely to commit suicide, get fired, and miss opportunities. People with mental health issues are more likely to be homeless, make poor life choices, and be incarcerated. The cost of mental health care is growing, and the lack of funding is not making it any easier to get the treatment that they need.
What are the stigmas around mental health?
Today, mental health is considered “a problem”, rather than a gift. Many of us consider mental illness to be a result of personal weakness. We are trained to see mental illness as something that can be cured with an anti-depressant or other “medication”. This is dangerous, as it can be a gateway to other dangerous coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse. There is a stigma around mental disorders, and many people avoid talking about it for fear of being judged and ridiculed. This leads to a lack of understanding of mental health issues in general, and a resulting lack of resources, resulting in vulnerable and unwell people not getting the support they need.
Why is it important to reduce the stigma about mental illness?
Since we began the project, we’ve received a lot of comments from people who struggle with mental issues: people who have been diagnosed with, and are living with, various mental illnesses. We read and responded to each comment, and have written about mental illness in the blog for several months. Some people were very supportive, others not so much. Regardless, we have tried to make the blog more than a place to share our personal struggles, but to say that we believe the stigma around mental health issues needs to be reduced. For the past three years, I’ve been living with schizophrenia. Along with my family, we’ve encountered various challenges that have at times caused us to feel isolated and alone. But no matter how bad things got, we found the strength to persevere, to cope, and to eventually come to the realization that living with schizophrenia is no different than living with any other illness. For me, this realization has completely changed how I view my illness, and how I view my life. It has also allowed me to reach out to others, to tell my story, and to advocate for myself and others living with mental illness.
