This is the first installment of what I hope will be many as I explore the importance of mental health. I’ve recently experienced the lost of someone close to me from suicide which has driven me to research more about the grieving process and overall mental health. I am not a medical or trained professional, just someone who wants to share what she has learned in the hopes that it helps others.
“Even though my mental illness tries its best, it doesn’t control me, it doesn’t define me, and I refuse to be stigmatized by it.” Wil Wheaton
Stigma is a tricky topic isn’t it. Just to set a baseline, stigma is defined as “ a mark of shame or discredit.” How is it that a chronic illness like lupus or cancer isn’t shameful but depression is? They’re all out of the control of the individual. They’re internal battles against ones own body. So why do we look down upon those diagnosed with a mental illness?
The history of the stigma of mental illness goes back thousands of years, it’s nothing new. Erving Goffman, a leading sociologist in the field of stigma’s effects, said this particular stigma, mental health, is the most damaging. The World Health Organization and others have stated that is is a “major public health challenge” and have recognized the discrimination against those that seek help.
So what can I do to end the stigma?
That sounds about as easy as draining an ocean or ending climate change. But through some of my research I have found easy ways we can start locally to end the stigma. The big guys, like the W.H.O. can take care of the heavy global lifting. Again, I’m not a health care professional, just someone that is struggling herself and wants to stop the suicide epidemic. So for what it’s worth, here are a few things we can do as individuals:
1. Talk to others when you’re in a down cycle. Isolating yourself can let those demons in your head grow stronger. By verbalizing what’s going on, you’re taking away their power and normalizing the conversation.
2. If someone comes to you, listen. Seems easy, right? But when I say listen, it’s a deep down listen, not just a smile & wave listen. If someone has trusted you enough to say something, don’t take that lightly. Now it may get too much for you to take on, but you can take that opportunity to suggest resources for them to get professional help.
3. Call others out when they’re discriminating or teasing based on mental illness. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how easy it is to just not even notice it. I think a lot of that has to do with the acceptance of the stigma we’ve created in our society. This is that whole see-something-say-something thing.
I want to give a huge shout out to Wil Wheaton for sharing his mental illness journey. It is so inspiring! If you haven’t already, be sure to read his NAMI address.
So this week, why not do 1 or 2 things to reduce the stigma of mental illness. And maybe do that again the next week. And the next. And the next.
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