How to Fight Mental Health Stigma – Part 1

Unfortunately, we still encounter stigma against mental illnesses in our surrounding. Stigma happens when we see someone in a negative way because of a particular characteristic or attribute. One kind of stigma happens when someone is defined by their illness rather than by who they are as an individual. For example, they might be labelled 'psychotic' rather than 'a person experiencing psychosis'. When people are treated in a negative way because of their mental illness, this is discrimination. Stigma and discrimination are often the result of a lack of understanding or fear. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to both those factors.

Experiencing social stigma and discrimination can make problems worse, making it harder for people living with mental health conditions to recover. Indeed, stigma can have harmful effects on people, which can include:

• Feelings of shame, hopelessness and isolation

• Reluctance to seek help or treatment and less likely to stay with treatment

• Lack of understanding by family, friends, coworkers, or others

• Fewer opportunities for employment, social interaction and trouble finding housing

• Bullying, physical violence or harassment

• The belief that you'll never overcome your illness, accomplish what you want in life or that you can't improve your situation

Fighting against stigma starts with ourselves. Let us remember to be thoughtful about the choice of our words by using accurate and sensitive words when talking about people living with mental illnesses.

So, what can we do to help reduce mental health stigma? One excellent way is to start by changing the language we use when we talk about mental health conditions.

DO YOU NEED MORE HELP?

Contact a community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association to learn more about support and resources in your area.

Sources:

https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/stigma-and-discrimination/

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/stigma-discrimination-and-mental-illness

https://commissionsantementale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/language_matters_cheat_sheet_fr.pdf

Submitted by: Canadian Mental Health Association Champlain East