What is Mental Health Stigma?
Stigma is a belief to which a crowd of people is glued to. For one, a mentally ill person is stereotyped as crazy among that bunch of people. And that is called social stigma. Another type of stigma is self stigma, wherein a person adheres to people’s statements and internalizes them which end up being an obstacle for personal growth and development.
According to the WHO, mentally ill people are often encountered to inhumanity, discrimination and stigma.
How the media is contributing to erase mental health stigma?
The media can be proven as a very powerful asset if used wisely. People, slowly but surely are overcoming these stigmas and the media has got a lot to do with it. Nowadays, people have access to media no matter in which part of the world they live.
The media is generously coming forward and giving its best to help people in overcoming mental illness and stigmas stuck with them. There are a number of social media pages, movies and shows that are trying to normalize mental illness and eradicate the stigmas.
News channels are also taking initiative by consulting professionals and show casting them to the people with the same intention. However, there are also pages and people out there that unnecessarily exaggerate the concept and intentionally or unintentionally promote rumors about mental illness. Some people threaten a mentally ill person by the name of religion and God.
Well, it's true that in some religions talking about mental illness is a taboo. That too is a stigma. And this needs to stop.
Conclusion
Beautiful people out there do not risk your mental health by falling into this trap called ‘stigma’. Choosing professional help over stigma is always fruitful. Let others blurt out their advice. But do not internalize them. Follow people in the media who truly inspire you and can help you with fighting against your disease. Ignore the ones who push you into self doubt. Put on your hoodies, tie your show laces, believe in yourself and rush to a psychiatrist.
- Bansi Thakar