Imagine this scenario: you have a cold and it’s time to go to the doctor. As you pull in, you notice folks in the lot across the road from the office leering at you as you step out of the car. The looks of silent judgment are like daggers. How would you feel in this moment?
Most of us would feel awful! It’s not your fault you had a cold, right? And what’s the big deal with colds anyways? Why are you being judged for getting the help you need for having a cold? Replace the word “cold” with “mental health problem” and the reality of this scenario sets in.
People who are affected by mental health problems face a steady stream of stigma towards their suffering, even when they are attempting to get the help they need. Stigma, as defined by Webster’s dictionary, is “a mark of shame or discredit” often perpetuated by other people who do not fully understand what one is going through.
In our society, stigma primarily shows up in three ways: our body language, our words, and our media. Let me give you some examples.
- Our Body Language – Think back to the last opportunity you had to visit downtown Indianapolis. It’s no surprise that the population of people without a home is much greater in downtown Indy than in the suburbs, so likely you have had the chance to interact. Many of those who are without a home are subjected to traumas that can affect their mental health, which may result in behaviors that are hard to understand. Do you think they don’t notice when you avoid making eye contact? Do you think it doesn’t hurt them when you quickly walk past without acknowledging their existence? This is stigma.
- Our Words – Let’s face it, we have a tendency to be flippant with our words sometimes, especially when we are hoping for a laugh. When telling a funny story, we describe a particular friend as “crazy”, or we say things like “she is so OCD about everything”. When recalling fears, sometimes we say “I swear (fill in the blank) gave me PTSD.” Do you think your friend who actually suffers from PTSD feels supported when you say this? Do you think your loved one who survived a suicide attempt appreciates being labeled by their hardship? This is stigma.
- Our Media – How many horror movies have you seen that are set in “insane asylums”? How many headlines are written in the news about people dying by suicide with little regard to their full personhood and story? How many times are people with depression or anxiety written off as jokes or as unfortunate colleagues in TV shows? This is stigma.
Stigma is everywhere, and it isolates those of us who may be at a low point in our lives and need help. Instead of turning a blind eye to stigma, I encourage you to think before you avoid someone, think before you speak, and think before you partake. We each have a small but meaningful role to play in ending stigma and opening the door for anyone and everyone in need of getting the services they deserve.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the USA, and this article is the first of a four-part series. Each week of this month, we will share helpful and encouraging information with you related to Mental Health. Help us end stigma by sharing this article with a friend or family member!
