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Understanding the Stigma Around Mental Health

When was the last time you chatted about your mental health? Last week, last month, last year? Regardless of when it was, your emotional well-being shouldn鈥檛 be a side note. It鈥檚 central to who you are and your overall health. And you shouldn鈥檛 feel alone or misunderstood when it comes to your feelings.

While mental health is talked about now more than ever, there鈥檚 still a stigma around it. What is stigma? It鈥檚 a set of negative beliefs people have about a topic. It usually stems from fear, incorrect information, and stereotypes. Stigmas can hurt those affected by them and prevent people from getting help. Here鈥檚 what you need to know so you can take action.

Types of mental health stigmas

Stigmas surrounding mental health can affect you in many ways. Researchers have found these types of mental health stigmas:

  • Self-stigma is when you feel ashamed of your condition.

  • Public stigma is how society feels about mental health.

  • Structural stigma comes from corporations, government agencies, private organizations, and other groups. They may make policies that limit opportunities for people with mental illness.

Why is stigma around mental health a problem?

If you have a mental health issue, stigma can affect you, as well as your family, friends, and coworkers.

How? For example, they can prevent you from finding help. And if your condition isn鈥檛 treated, it can become more serious. This might impact your ability to work and take care of yourself and others, or put pressure on your relationships.

Mental illness can be more common among certain populations. And these groups may face an even greater stigma, including:

  • Adults. Men and women are both affected by mental illness. The suicide rate is higher in men than women. But rates of mental illness are lower among men. think men are less likely to seek care than women.

  • Children. Both children and teens can have mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders. Over the past decade, suicidal behaviors have increased in teens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decline in the use of pediatric mental health outpatient services among all racial and ethnic groups. This led to an increased rate of mental illness in children.

  • At-Risk Groups:

    • LGBTQ+

    • Minorities, such as Asians, Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics, Indigenous Americans, etc.

    • People with disabilities such as:

      • Physical or mobility-related disabilities

      • Cognitive, developmental, or intellectual disabilities

      • Sensory (blind or deaf) disabilities

How to talk about mental health

Do you avoid talking about mental health? Many people do so because they fear they鈥檒l say the wrong thing or make the situation worse. But not talking about it can make people with mental illness feel alone.

Here are some tips for talking about mental health:

  • Don鈥檛 be afraid to talk about it. Silence can make shame worse.

  • Take the time to learn more about mental health conditions and treatments. Share what you鈥檝e learned with others.

  • Be respectful when talking to or about people with mental illness.

  • Avoid the urge to give advice. Don鈥檛 tell people to, 鈥淪nap out of it,鈥 or 鈥淧ull yourself together.鈥

  • Choose compassionate language, such as, 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry you feel bad,鈥 or 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 your fault.鈥

  • Don鈥檛 joke about mental illness.

  • Check in on people in your life with mental health conditions. Ask them how they鈥檙e feeling and how you can best help them.

We all play a part in shaping how society views mental health. And the more we openly talk about it, the more we help break the stigma surrounding it. So whether you have a mental health condition or know someone with one, pledge to be a bit more understanding and supportive, choose your words with care, and always lend an ear. To help find support in your area, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit for free and confidential information. It makes a world of difference.

If additional support is needed, call or text 988 to reach the . You will be connected to trained crisis counselors. Support is available 24/7 at no cost. There are several reasons to connect with 988 Lifeline. Some reasons include:

  • Loneliness

  • Trauma

  • Relationships

  • Economic worries

  • Feeling depressed or having severe anxiety

  • Mental or physical illness

  • Drinking too much or substance abuse or use

  • Sexual orientation concerns

  • Suicidal thoughts or mental crisis