Great idea for a thread! If I may, I would love to add that I feel a lot of people think of "mental health" as referring to illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, or Depression. However, EVERYONE has mental health, the same as we all have physical health. And just as we have to look after our physical health, we need to look after our mental health.
Stigma is an unfortunate occurrence with mental health and mental illness. For example, when I was doing research I came across some interesting, but scary statistics. A survey found 56% of adults wouldn't employ someone with depression, even if they were the best candidate. Also, despite 30-50% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia being able to work, only 10-20% are employed. You have to ask yourself why? And I would put money on the stigma being a big factor.
Stigma doesn't just result in name calling and hurtful comments (which are obviously still both wrong) but it prevents people already struggling with horrible illnesses from accessing certain aspects of normal life that we take from granted. It even holds them back in their recovery.
Through my personal struggles with mental illness, I have come to learn the real impact that stigma has on a person. I've also seen it through my work, firstly as a peer support worker, and now as a student social worker. Talking about mental health is not always the easiest thing to do (but in my opinion, it should be), but it is one of the most important things.
Anyway enough from me. It would be great to hear from the community on their thoughts around mental health and the stigma attached.
Posted from TSR Mobile