Mental Health Stigma

Stigma is a huge barrier when it comes to reducing mental health problems in the general population.

When someone has a mental illness, that illness can feel like a burden. That in turn can make a person feel like they are a burden. But everyone has ‘baggage’ of some sort – some people’s relates to mental health, and some people’s relate to physical health, or other situations. Everyone’s ‘baggage’ matters and is valid.

Mental health can sometimes feel like very heavy baggage. Sometimes mental health problems can become all-encompassing and overwhelming. It can result in feeling like it’s part of who we are.

What is Stigma?

Stigma is a set of negative attitudes, pre-judgements, prejudices, and behaviour that can make it harder for individuals with mental health problems to live a normal life. Its a socially constructed mark of disapproval, shame or disgrace.

Stigma is real – it can be a fear of being treated differently, but it can also be the experience of being treated differently too. It can also be subtle or obvious.

Stigma includes misconceptions about the risks posed to the public by people with mental health problems, use of pejorative/ flippant language in describing mental illness & those affected by it.

The impact of stigma

Stigma can make a person worry about how their mental illness might affect those around them. It can make them isolate themselves, and can affect their confidence/ self-esteem.

This can cause reduced hope, and can cause worsening symptoms. In fact, many people report that stigma can be as bad as, or even worse than the symptoms of their mental illness itself

Some statistics on stigma

  • More than ½ of people with mental illness don’t get help, often due to stigma
  • The number of Irish people less willing to disclose mental health difficulties is 11%
  • In 2022, 27% of Irish people would not tell people if they had suicidal thoughts
  • 68% of Irish people believe being treated for a mental health difficulty is seen as a sign of personal failure

What causes stigma?

There are three main causes of stigma:

  • Lack of knowledge (ignorance)
  • Negative attitudes (prejudice)
  • Hostile behaviour (discrimination)

Who can be affected by stigma?

People with mental illness can be affected by stigma, but so can those who support them, such as family members and friends.

Types of stigma

Public/ structural stigma:

Public stigma is comprised of negative/ discriminatory attitudes that others have about mental illness. It occurs when society endorses and implements stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination to deny people with mental illness their rights and entitlements.

Self-stigma

Self-stigma is an internal process whereby people judge themselves based on messages received from societal norms. They believe they have failed to meet societal expectations. It is a private shame that raises self-doubt about one’s capacity to lives independently, have meaningful relationships or hold a job.

Institutional stigma

Institutional stigma is a more systemic form of stigma, involving policies of government and private organisations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental illness.

Changes in stigma over time:

Not all mental illnesses carry the same level of stigma – anxiety or depression now has much less stigma than OCD or psychosis for example. While it’s good that stigma is reducing in some areas, there is still more work to do to fully eradicate stigma.

What can help:

If you are a person with a mental illness:

Speak out about your illness, treatment, and experiences – research shows this can have a positive impact, because increasing knowledge and awareness can break down misinformation and fear

Be honest about your treatment – put it on a part with getting treatment for a physical health issue

However, it is important to only do this to the extent that you feel comfortable, and that you don’t put your own wellbeing at risk to do it.

If you are a person who does not have a mental illness:

Research shows that knowing or having contact with someone with mental illness is one of the best ways to reduce stigma

Educate yourself – don’t assume media portrayals are accurate, and call out the media when you come across inaccurate and stigmatising portrayals

Show compassion for people with mental illness – don’t treat someone differently based on whether or not they have a mental illness

Show that you are a ‘safe person’ – wear a symbol such as a green ribbon from Shine to show that you are a safe person to talk to about mental health.

Start conversations – check in with your family and friends, especially the ones who are quiet, or who you might usually assume are always ok

Be honest in your conversations with people regarding your own mental health and feelings/emotions

Be conscious of language use – we often say things in a throwaway moment, not realising the impact it could be having; for example, describing your high-spirits pal as ‘mental’, or talking about your preference for being tidy as ‘being OCD’. You might not mean anything by it, but it can still affect people.

DO SAYDON’T SAY
“Thanks for opening up to me.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“How can I help?”
“Thanks for sharing.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. It must be tough.”
“I’m here for you when you need me.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“People do get better.”
“Oh man, that sucks.”
“Can I drive you to an appointment?”
“How are you feeling today?”
“It could be worse.”
“Just deal with it.”
“Snap out of it.”
“Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
“You may have brought this on yourself.”
“We’ve all been there.”
“You’ve got to pull yourself together.”
“Maybe try thinking happier thoughts.”

If you experience stigma:

  • You aren’t alone and you shouldn’t have to put up with it
  • Please don’t let it stop you from getting help
  • You have a burden, you are not a burden.
  • Remember that those around you usually want to be there for you, support you, and help you.

If you need support, please reach out for help – sources of help are available here if you don’t want to reach out to family or friends.

For more information about stigma, and to support the national mental health stigma reduction campaign, check out the work of Shine