What is Stigma?
- a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
- a perceived negative attribute that causes someone to devalue or think less of the whole person
How does stigma negatively affect people?
Stigma around mental health can cause the person with mental illness more pain and suffering, and can cause others to see them in a negative way, leading to exclusion and isolation.
Stigma causes society to develop these attitudes and actions towards people who are affected by mental illnesses:
Stigma causes society to develop these attitudes and actions towards people who are affected by mental illnesses:
- Fear
- Violence
- Exclusion
- Bullying
- Prejudice
- Discrimination
- Mistrust
- Not speak up
- Not get the help they need
- Not reach out
- Fear leaving the house
- Lack self-confidence
- Endure discrimination
- Suffer in silence
How can you erase the stigma?
Everybody has mental health, not everybody has mental illness. Even if you aren't directly affected by mental illness, 1 in 5 people are. We all need to work together to help the world become a better place. This page is your place to start. Let's start the conversation and erase the stigma in our homes, schools, and communities. Below, you will find some things you can do to help erase the stigma around mental illness.
- Know the facts. Educate yourself on mental health and illness
- Be aware of your attitude and behavior in public places
- Choose your words carefully
- Educate others
- Include others
- Focus on the positive
- Support people
- Be an advocate for positive mental health