It is estimated by the World Bank that at least 10 percent of the world’s population is affected by mental health disorders and that 20 percent of children and adolescents suffer from some type of mental disorder.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that- "one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives."
Can you believe it? Mental health disorders are so common yet the most neglected. There is a need for awareness and treatment of mental illnesses.
Why are people so scared of mental illnesses? Why do they refrain from saying it out loud that they suffer from a certain mental illness as they’d do with any other physical one? Why do others tag people with mental illnesses as crazy or weird?
I ask myself these questions almost every time I hear the stigmas around mental health.
Stigmas are marks of disgrace or infamy associated with any certain person, quality, or circumstance. These stigmas are a hindrance to the treatment and normalization of Mental Health.
What are these so-called “stigmas” the community has associated with mental health?
Let’s take a step back from our main topic and look at these stigmas-
~ People think they are attributed as villains or bad people if they have mental illnesses because, in media portrayals of villains, they mostly suffer from a mental illness.
~ Mental health is taken as facetious and not so crucial, people think mental health can be easily dealt with.
~ In the “real world”, mental health terms are used to refer to people who are unusual and strange. Who just don’t fit in according to them. If someone does something outside the ordinary people tend to say phrases like – “he’s crazy!” Or “he’s a psycho”.
~ The population suffering from mental health is seen as violent and aggressive which is not true.
~ When imagining a person with mental health, the ideal image we make is someone whose hair is messy, who looks scary and is, odd-looking.
~ People are scared that others will judge them and look at them as different, they think having a mental illness is not that big of a deal and doesn’t deserve the attention it needs.
~ Sometimes they even think that no one will understand them or they will be bullied for going through the whole process.
It’s time we put effort and action towards society’s impressions on mental health disorders and remove all the barriers which take a toll on our mental health.
Although where do we start? How will we convince the larger population to normalize mental health like they do with physical health?
People tend to stop at this point. They think it will not be possible for them to create proper awareness, but trust me, it only takes one person to change the way things are done.
Let’s destigmatize mental health together.
Here’s how we can change the perception of the community –
Create Awareness: Whether it is a friend, your family member, or acquaintance and if they’re suffering from mental illness, let them know it’s okay to go through it, proper treatment and precautions will help prevent increased stress. It’ll also make them feel better to consult a professional psychologist (just as it is with a professional doctor). Tell them it is normal, and analyze with them on their disorder. Let them know it’s okay.
Mental Health is a Strength: People tend to think people suffering from mental health disorders are weak. In reality, the inner battles fought with oneself in the minds are the strongest ones! You’re not weak for struggling with mental health issues, you’re the toughest out there!
Refrain: Hold back yourself as well as others from using mental health terms in casual taunts. People tend to put psychological disorder terms in the insults of other people. It’s not alright to do that. Abstain from using terms like psycho, mad, crazy, or even nuts to define others.
Spread the Word: Make posters, write articles, share posts, and use various other means to spread knowledge about mental illnesses. Make people realize ” it’s normal as well as common”.
Avoid the opinion of others: If you or someone you know is ill, know that the opinion of others on your mental illness doesn’t matter at all. You don’t need to be worried about what your friends, your neighbors, or even some random person you know feel about your mental health. If you’re nervous that they’ll judge you, let them know, and make them aware of it. If they’re bullying you, create awareness again, and stand up for yourself.
Remember it doesn’t define you: People get sick all the time, but do we label them for their sickness. Do we call a person suffering from cough and cold, a sneezer? No right! It’s funny because it’s true. The same as that, your mental illness doesn’t define you, it plays a part in making you a better and stronger person! Be proud of that.
Support others: People sometimes withhold sharing about their mental health because they think nobody will understand and support them. Let your family and friends know you’ll always be there with them no matter what. Be a support for them, not a reason to back off.
Empower, not avoid: Empower people to talk about their mental health. Make community groups and spread awareness. Don’t stop yourself from circulating information about something on the verge of getting better. Join groups that promote and support mental health. Encourage people you know to do that too!
These are just numbered ways to break the stigmas around mental health. There are various other routes to the success of Mental Illness Destigmatizing.
I am sure that if we start acting upon this, people we normalize mental health.
Remember, life is tough, but so are you! Let’s all put our hands together to make a change!
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Sources: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/mental-health https://www.who.int/news/item/28-09-2001-the-world-health-report-2001-mental-disorders-affect-one-in-four-people