Table of Contents
What are negative mental health stigmas?
Some of the harmful effects of stigma can include: Reluctance to seek help or treatment. Lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers or others. Fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities or trouble finding housing. Bullying, physical violence or harassment.
Why does stigma exist with regard to mental illness?
Stigma often comes from lack of understanding or fear. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to both those factors.
Is there still a stigma around mental health?
Unfortunately, stigma surrounding mental health is still common. While stigma is not limited to mental conditions, attitudes towards psychiatric illnesses tend to be more negative than that toward medical conditions.
Why is there such a stigma about mental illness?
Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that’s thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. Stigma can lead to discrimination.
How to get rid of the stigma of mental illness?
See A Psychiatrist If You Can’t Handle It Anymore All By Yourself. We are humans and there is only a limit up to which we can handle certain problems.
How does stigma affect people with mental illness?
Stigma can lead to a lack of support or empathy for people with a mental illness, leaving people embarrassed, misunderstood, and marginalised. Stigma can cause more than hurt feelings. It can result in symptoms being ignored, lead to poor recovery and a lower quality of life due to isolation.
What are some stereotypes of mental illness?
The most common stereotypes that still exist about people with mental illnesses are that they are dangerous, violent, weak, or incompetent. People also commonly believe that mental illness cannot be overcome, or that it is caused by a character flaw, or poor upbringing.