On October 10, we are celebrating World Mental Health Day 2024. World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness of different mental health issues and problems surrounding them. This year, the topic and main message are “It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace.” The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and well-being in the workplace to benefit people, organizations, and communities.Â
Each of us can contribute to raising awareness on mental health topics, and Time Wellness Tenessee does that by educating the public, fighting stigma, and providing tailored services for those in need. Today, we would like to introduce you to the concept of stigma, its impact on one’s mental health, and how we can address it. Keep reading to discover how to get involved, challenge stigma, and advocate for mental health.
Understanding Mental Health Stigma
The simplest way to define stigma is as a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something. Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with mental illness are still very much a problem. There are at least three types of stigma:
- Public stigma refers to negative or discriminatory attitudes that others may have about mental problems and disorders.
- Self-stigma represents negative attitudes that people with mental illness may have about their condition. Self-stigma also includes internalized shame.
- Structural stigma is more systemic, involving policies of government and private organizations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental disorders (e.g., lower funding for mental illness research or fewer mental health services relative to other health care).
One of the myths leading to stigma that is very much alive nowadays refers to the misconception that mentally ill individuals are dangerous and unpredictable and, therefore, should not be trusted. Earlier negative attitudes involved beliefs that mentally ill people are also to blame for their condition. While the studies on stigma show that this is no longer the case and that people recognize the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment, they still have negative attitudes about people with mental disorders. For this reason, World Mental Health Day 2024 addresses the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace.Â
Why Breaking the Stigma Is Important
Breaking the stigma is one of the most important things we ought to do in our fight for mental health awareness and treatment available to anyone. Stigma has such an impact that it stops people from seeking help, often leaving them to struggle on their own unsuccessfully. People can feel shame or fear judgment due to stigma, resulting in hiding even from loved ones that they are unwell and need support.
Not only does stigma reduce the likelihood of getting treatment, but it can also contribute to worsening symptoms. Self-stigma, for instance, can:
- reduce hope,
- lower self-esteem,
- increase psychiatric symptoms,
- create difficulties with social relationships,
- reduce the likelihood of staying with treatment,
- lead to more difficulties at work.
Fighting stigma starts with understanding mental disorders. Secondly, we should see mental health as equally important as physical health. This way, we fight the prejudice surrounding it and contribute to mental hygiene and regular care.
How Stigma Impacts Different Mental Health Disorders
As previously mentioned, stigma can lead to worsening symptoms. This is especially true for disorders like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which entail some level of self-blame, guilt, or shame. Addressing both public and self-stigma is a step toward depression treatment centers in Tennessee often must take, as they can block access to underlying issues leading to depression.
Shame, guilt, and self-judgment are often part of the clinical image of PTSD, so PTSD treatment centers Tennessee ought to deal with stigma as part of the treatment. This can slow down the process of accessing memories of traumatic events and, with that, the entire recovery.
Furthermore, stigma in one’s local community can not only postpone seeking help but also lead to turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like substance abuse, instead.
What Can We Do to Challenge the Stigma?
There are several ways to challenge stigma and help reduce it. Individuals, communities, and mental health providers can take these actions to help fight stigma and empower people to seek professional support when they need it.
- Seek or provide education on mental health. Expanding your knowledge on mental health or ensuring other people receive proper education on it is a good start.
- Open conversations. Meeting people struggling with mental health, hearing their stories, and being able to ask questions clears the air by providing real-life examples and experiences.Â
- Encourage empathy and understanding. Invite people to look at things from different perspectives. Try placing yourself in other people’s shoes.Â
- Support those seeking help. Be the support for someone who’s struggling. An encouraging word is sometimes sufficient to change someone’s life for the better.
We are reminded of these actions at least once a year, this time on World Mental Health Day 2024. In addition to fighting the stigma, there are a few more things you can do on this special awareness day.
World Mental Health Day 2024: How You Can Get Involved
Each one of us can contribute to World Mental Health Day 2024. You can spread the word and show support on social media or participate in community events. Educate yourself or others, start conversations and open dialogs, or even start campaigns at your work. Promote best practices for emotional wellbeing. Many resources will become available on World Mental Health Day 2024 that can help you become an advocate for mental health and well-being.
You can also encourage a loved one to seek help. Explore Time Wellness’s mental health services and discover how you can support yourself and those you care about.
A Few Final Words
Choose to be someone’s support and source of empowerment. If you are unsure how or where to start, call Time Wellness Tennessee and let us help you in that noble quest.
