How We Can Erase Stigma

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Stigma is frustrating because it demeans someone with a mental illness. We are perceived as being unintelligent, unpredictable and dangerous. The truth is, many people with a mental illness are very intelligent, have predictable behaviors, and are more likely to be a danger to themselves than others.

A lot of people receive treatment and are capable of living normal lives. These people can hold down jobs, attend school, and have normal relationships. There are also many celebrities with mental illnesses. Mariah Carrey is one of the recent celebrities who came out as bipolar.

Others include actors like Catherine Zeta Jones, and Dwayne Johnson. We live in a day and age where mental health is being openly talked about and discussed. In some ways, it has almost become a trend to talk about your mental health. Which could be a good and bad thing.

Good because it helps spread awareness and decrease stigma. Bad because it may make mental health seem trivial. Mental health is very serious, and it’s important to take it seriously. People die by suicide every day because of mental health problems.

Most mental health conditions are complex, and not easy to understand. While individuals may have the same condition, their symptoms and life experiences can be very different. Living with one of these conditions can take a toll, and without proper treatment can overwhelm a person experiencing symptoms.

Today, more than ever, people are being diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and more. It’s important to discuss and deal with mental health, so people can live and work and have relationships like everyone else.

Hundreds of advocates have sprung up and taken a stand on ending the stigma. They’re attempting to shed light on living with a mental illness and spread hope for those suffering.

As someone who lives with a mental illness, these advocates have brought hope and joy into my life. I’ve experienced some dark times lately and reading their stories and blogs has helped me cope. The mental health community has become an important addition to my life.

It’s encouraging to know that there are others out there who have gone through some of the same things I have. It makes me feel less alone, and more supported through everything.

We cannot cure mental illnesses, so acknowledging and educating ourselves on various illnesses is the next step. With less stigma in the world and more understanding, we can move forward in society as a whole.

If you know someone living with a mental health condition, try getting to know them. When thoughts pop up, like, “they’re weird” or “they’re dumb” train yourself not to think that way. Practice looking at them with compassion and empathy. Realize that though their brain doesn’t work like yours, there is a person in there who is worthy of love.

Educate yourself on mental illness. There are more resources today than ever before. Check out Psychology Today, the NAMI blog and website, WebMD, and more. I would also recommend following various bloggers with mental illness. You can learn a lot from them too.

Please don’t contribute to the stigma. Living with a mental illness is hard, and stigma makes it even harder. Those of us with these conditions need support, sympathy and love. Together, we can change the future, and make the world a better place for everyone.

We can live life the way it should be.