Mental Health Matters

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The statement "it's okay not to be okay" has been growing in popularity over the past few years. It may have been coined years back when people were ashamed of talking about their mental health and addiction issues. Families, friends, and members of the broader public might have negative perceptions of drug use and mental illnesses. It's possible that the usage of pejorative labels like "drug addict," "drunk," "crazy," and "crackhead" contributes to the perpetuation of these attitudes.

Tens of thousands of people struggling with the conditions tend to keep the issue to themselves, mainly due to lack of money and the shame associated with such disorders. However, with nearly 50% of the US adult population having suffered from a mental health and drug abuse disorder at some point in their lives, people are now more open about their challenges.

Stigma is Discrimination and Prejudice

What is a ‘stigma’? Stigma can be defined as the unnecessary shame and disgrace towards people suffering from things that they don't understand. If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness or struggle with substance abuse, chances are you have come across people who blame you for having a mental illness or substance use disorder.

When people's viewpoints and ideas are based on ignorance or misunderstanding, they lead to irrational negative attitudes and acts or behaviors that cause pain and suffering. Stigma can be obvious and direct, such as people making negative comments regarding your condition. It can also be subtle or unintentional, like when someone avoids you because they assume you could be dangerous, unstable, or violent.

Though it lacks the emotional impact of words like sexism or racism, the stigma associated with mental health and addiction is just as misguided and equally hurtful. For someone already carrying a heavy burden, stigma can make you feel ashamed of something out of your control. Consequently, shame prevents you from seeking the treatment you need.

This is often known as self-stigmatization and occurs when you internalize the negative stereotypes as well as the public and structural stigma associated with the conditions. Apart from self-stigma, there are two other types of stigma: public stigma, which is discrimination and devaluation by others, and systemic stigma, which is the embodiment of public stigma into law. Systemic stigma reduces access to care and resources due to policies.

Regardless of the stigma, you are experiencing, here are some adverse effects associated with the stigmatization of people struggling with mental health illnesses and addiction:

• Social isolation

• Lower self-esteem

• Increased psychiatric symptoms

• Difficulties with social relationships

• Reluctance to seek help or treatment

• Bullying, harassment, or physical violence

• Fewer opportunities for work, school, or social activities

Addressing Stigma

Many celebrities and other influential figures are sharing their mental health and addiction challenges, bringing the discussion into the general media and everyday conversations. While stigma has reduced significantly over the past few years, the pace of progress hasn’t been quick enough.

To that end, it is the duty of everyone to raise their voices against the different types of stigmas associated with mental health and addiction. Though it's not an easy task, speaking about a stigma will help you regain your self-esteem and courage, as well as motivate others to seek treatment.

Openly Talk About Mental Health & Addiction

Openly talking about mental health and addiction helps break down communication barriers. By breaking these barriers, you can make it easy for people struggling with similar conditions to gain courage and seek the help they need. Consider airing your opinions at events, on physical media, and your social media platforms or website/blog if you have one. Sharing your experience and struggles with stigma can help educate the public on the adverse effects of stigma.

Educate Yourself & Others

Unfortunately, many people still misunderstand mental health and substance use disorders, which significantly contributes to stigma. You can reduce the fear and stigma associated with the conditions by educating yourself on why addiction develops, how mental health illnesses occur, and how it affects people's lives. It would be best if you also considered learning prevention strategies to decrease risk factors that might influence substance use disorder and some mental health conditions.

Don’t Harbor Self Stigma

Self-stigma is devastating and can make you hate yourself for not being able to seek the help you deserve. The first step in conquering self-stigma starts by accepting yourself and your situation. Once you have dealt with denial, focus on practicing self-care, which helps build your self-esteem. Self-care is an essential element in repairing self-destructive attitudes and thought patterns that are high risks for addictive behavior and mental health disorders. You should also avoid isolating yourself. Reach out to non-judgemental and empathetic people for the compassion, support, and understanding you need.

Focus on Positivity

When interacting with someone suffering from an addiction or mental health illness, you must respond to them with compassion. Focus your questions and answers on positive solutions that can convince an individual to seek treatment. Studies show that people who experience supportive and empathetic reactions when discussing their mental health and addiction challenges are more likely to rate their quality of life higher than those who receive negative feedback.

Get Treatment

Though you might be reluctant to the idea of treatment, you should not let the fear of stigmatization prevent you from seeking help. Diagnosis and treatment of mental health and addiction have come a long way, thanks to scientific research. You can seek treatment at a facility that offers personalized, evidence-based integrated care. Treatment options might vary from medications to different forms of therapy. At a treatment facility, you can participate in support groups to help you overcome some of the adverse effects of stigma.

As the government and other influential players continue to spread awareness on mental health and addiction, more people struggling with the same are willing to open up about their addiction and mental health challenges. Though progress might be slow, you are not suffering alone and could benefit immensely from seeking treatment as soon as possible. At LearnHealingBrain, our open-minded practitioners leverage different evidence-based techniques to find solutions that will deliver the treatment you need. We also offer virtual visits that provide mental wellness and addiction sessions that help you learn coping skills and strategies that prove effective in staying healthy. Reach out today at https://www.learnhealingbrain.com/blank-5 to schedule a consultation and get personalized help for your mental health and addiction challenges.