Mental health stigma refers to the negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination directed towards individuals with mental health conditions. It can result in social exclusion, barriers to seeking help, and reduced access to opportunities. This stigma discourages people from seeking treatment and can worsen their conditions, impacting their overall well-being and recovery. 

Only 16.5% of individuals with depression worldwide seek help, and stigma around mental health is one of the primary reasons.

14% of 4 to 17 year old experience a mental health problem every year. Over 50% of individuals will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, making such conditions more common and relatable than previously realised.

In a study from 2018 that surveyed over a thousand participants, more than 30% held the stigmatizing belief that a weak personality causes depression.

A person who is stigmatised may be treated differently and excluded from many things the rest of society takes for granted. They might be labelled because of their illness, making them more likely to face discrimination. Dealing with the effects of being treated differently can increase feelings of isolation and make mental illness worse. Many people say dealing with stigma and discrimination is harder than dealing with mental illness itself. People with mental illness may also take on board the unfair views held by others. This can affect self-esteem and even trigger suicidal thoughts. They may feel ashamed or embarrassed. This can lead them to not seek treatment, withdraw from society or to alcohol and drug abuse. Stigma can cause people with mental illness to: feel discriminated against miss out on work or housing be bullied or excluded from social groups become a victim of violence feel unworthy. Some cultures have an inbuilt stigma against mental health issues and this can make it difficult for a person to seek and get help. It can also can cause feelings of shame in the family.

One common assumption is that individuals are in control of their condition and that laziness or a weak character holds them back from getting better. Current social norms encourage labelling and creating more distance rather than trying to understand and help.

LETS FIX THIS STIGMA

• Talk openly about mental health, such as sharing on social media.
• Educate yourself and others – respond to misperceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
• Be conscious of language – remind people that words matter.
• Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
• Show compassion for those with mental illness.
• Be honest about treatment – normalise mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
• Let the media know when they are using stigmatising language presenting stories of mental illness in a stigmatising way.
• Choose empowerment over shame

Let's break this stigma together, start by signing this petition.