Importance of Overcoming Stigma of Mental Illness
According to Wikipedia a mental illness, also referred to as a mental disorder or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. A mental disorder is also characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior. It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.
There are many different types of mental disorders. Mental disorders may also be referred to as mental health conditions.
Some Mental Disorders Facts:
The most common psychiatric disorders are anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia disorders, and according to the World Health Organization we have the following stats:
Anxiety Disorders
In 2019, 301 million people were living with an anxiety disorder including 58 million children and adolescents. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear and worry and related behavioral disturbances.
Depression
In 2019, 280 million people were living with depression, including 23 million children and adolescents. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks
Bipolar Disorder
In 2019, 40 million people experienced bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder experience alternating depressive episodes with periods of manic symptoms. During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The prevalence of PTSD and other mental disorders is high in conflict-affected settings. PTSD may develop following exposure to an extremely threatening or horrific event or series of events.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people worldwide. People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 10-20 years below that of the general population. Schizophrenia is characterized by significant impairments in perception and changes in behavior. Symptoms may include persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, highly disorganized behavior, or extreme agitation.
Eating Disorders
In 2019, 14 million people experienced eating disorders including almost 3 million children and adolescents. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, involve abnormal eating and preoccupation with food as well as prominent body weight and shape concerns.
Stigma of Mental Illness:
Stigma on the other hand refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, or misconceptions that surround mental health conditions, leading to discrimination, prejudice, and the marginalization of individuals with conditions. At the end of the day people with mental disorders will have to deal with more concerns if we don’t spread the word of stopping the mental disorder’s stigma.
At Life and Therapy we want to contribute with you by providing some basic knowledge about the importance of overcoming the stigma towards mental illness.
An important fact that we need to point out is that the stigma is coming from two different groups; the people that don’t have mental health conditions, and also from people who are suffering from a psychiatric disorder.
Importance of Overcoming Stigma of Mental Illness
To help others and to help overcome these negative ideas is crucial for several reasons:
Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior: Stigma often creates barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help for their mental health concerns. People may fear being labeled as “crazy” or weak if they admit to having a mental illness. By spreading the word of reducing stigma, we can create an environment where people feel comfortable reaching out for support, accessing mental health services, and getting the treatment they need.
Understanding and Empathy: Stigma arises from ignorance and misunderstanding about mental health conditions. Overcoming stigma involves educating society about the realities of mental illness, dispelling myths, and fostering a greater understanding of the challenges individuals face. When people have accurate information, they are more likely to develop empathy and provide support to those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Enhancing Mental Health Outcomes: Stigma can have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals. When people face discrimination and isolation due to their mental health condition, it can exacerbate their symptoms and hinder their recovery. By addressing stigma, we create a supportive environment that promotes positive mental health outcomes, including increased access to treatment, improved quality of life, and reduced suicide rates.
Promoting Well-being: Having negative perceptions about mental health often perpetuates stereotypes about mental illness, portraying individuals as dangerous, unpredictable, or incapable of leading fulfilling lives. Overcoming these wrong ideas involves challenging these stereotypes and highlighting the fact that mental health conditions are more common than we know and treatable. By promoting well-being and positive portrayals of individuals living with mental illness, we contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Overcoming the stigma of mental illness is crucial for fostering, understanding, empathy, and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. By creating an environment free from discrimination, we can encourage help-seeking behavior, improve mental health outcomes, and build inclusive communities that value the well-being of all individuals.
Life and Therapy, Online Counseling
At Life and Therapy we want you to know if you’re encountering some difficulties, you’re not alone, that “We all struggle in different capacities and we can learn, grow, and help one another”, as our Therapist Natalia Luna mentions in her biography.
We provide affordable online therapy, we have the best therapist ready to assist you. Our Therapist Joanna Baez has worked with many clients to help them with a large range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, anger issues, substance abuse/addiction, relationship issues, parenting problems, and domestic violence.