Debunking 15 Negative Mental Health Stigmas

In this post, I debunk 15 harmful mental health stigmas. It’s time to challenge misconceptions and foster understanding, compassion, and support for all.

The first step to overcoming a mental health illness is to admit that you have a problem and seek help. However, the stigmas around mental health make it challenging for people to do so. These common mental health stigmas often lead to discrimination, bullying, judgment, and exclusion from your inner circle. 

While society has been more accepting and understanding of mental health issues in recent years, mental health stigmas still exist. The widespread misunderstanding, negative connotations, false information, and fear make it harmful to people suffering from mental health illnesses. 

So in this article, I will debunk the 15 most common mental health stigmas and shed some light on this issue. But, before I start debunking these stigmas, I want to talk about overall mental health and provide mental health statistics. 

Mental Health Stats 

Mental health is not just an American concern; it’s a global public issue. Over the last decade, the number of people diagnosed with mental health issues multiplied. 

• According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in every 20 American adults experiences mental health illness in a year. 
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death globally in people under 30 years old. 
• Over 260 million people globally suffer from Depression.
• Anxiety was the most common illness in the world in 2018.

Mental health isn’t black or white. Instead, think of it as this overly complicated abstract figure that can come in any shape or form. Mental health disorders and symptoms vary from person to person, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to identify if they have a problem, to begin with.

This is why people need to get educated and learn about mental health instead of listening to mental health stigmas. 

The Negative Impact of Mental Health Stigmas 

Lots of people with mental health stigmas don’t seek professional help. More often than not, they avoid and delay seeking treatment due to concerns about being feared, losing jobs, being judged, and being unaccepted in society. That’s because stigmas on mental health are still very much a significant problem. 

Mental health stigmas come from a lack of understanding, fear, and misrepresentation in the media. There are several types of stigmas which include:

• Public Stigma: The negative and discriminatory attitudes the general public has about mental illness.
• Self-Stigma: Internalized shame and negative attitudes from the people suffering from the condition. 
• Institutional Stigma: Systematic and political policies limit the capabilities of people with mental health illnesses to seek or find resources. 

The impact of stigmas surrounding mental health is staggering, often preventing individuals from seeking the help they need. According to a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly 60% of individuals with mental health conditions do not receive any treatment. This can be attributed partly to the pervasive stigmas surrounding mental health, which lead to shame, discrimination, and a fear of judgment.

How To Fight Mental Health Stigmas

Preventing the spread of stigmas surrounding mental health requires a collective effort that involves education, empathy, and open dialogue. First and foremost, increasing awareness and understanding of mental health through public campaigns, workshops, and community discussions is crucial. We can combat misconceptions and promote empathy by providing accurate information about mental health conditions and debunking myths. Creating safe spaces for open conversations is also essential. Encouraging individuals to share their experiences and feelings without fear of judgment fosters an environment of acceptance and support.

Challenging stigmatizing language and racial stereotypes is equally crucial as using respectful and inclusive language when discussing mental health. Finally, promoting mental health literacy in schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings can reduce stigmas. Ultimately, by fostering a culture of compassion, empathy, and understanding, we can break down stigmas, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and create a society that embraces mental health as an integral part of overall well-being.

Common Mental Health Stigmas

1. Mental Health is Not Common: WRONG! Just because a person is smiling doesn’t mean they’re not going through something, and you shouldn’t assume. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally.
2. It’s A Sign Of Weakness: Having these illnesses is not weak. It’s not the person‘s fault that they have this issue. Mental illness is just like any significant illness, and it’s not cool to blame the person.
3. They’re Damaged Goods: People with mental health issues can work, play, and do anything just like a regular person would. They’re not “damaged,” they need help. It does not make them any less of a person.
4. People With Depression Are Violent: The majority of mentally ill people are not violent. In fact, mentally ill people are more likely to be victims of violence.
5. Therapy Is A Waste Of Time: Therapy helps people sort out their emotions and is a lot better than someone deciding to take their life or someone else’s.
6. All You Need Is A Pill: Yes, medication can help, but it doesn’t solve everything. You need the combination of a supportive system, therapy, and time to really overcome it.
7. People With MH Illnesses Should be Ashamed: NO. People with mental health illnesses should not be ashamed. In fact, they should speak up about their experiences.

8. Children and Teens Cannot Have Mental Health Illnesses: This is not true. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is the 3rd leading cause of people between 15-19 years old.
9. People With MH Illnesses are Dangerous: People with these illnesses only make up 5% of most violent crimes. They’re more likely to become a victim.
10. Everyone Has Mental Health Issues: That doesn’t give you the right to dismiss someone else’s struggles.
11. You Cannot Help People With Mental Health Illnesses: Yes, you can. All you have to do is listen and be there for them.
12. Depressed People Are Just Dramatic: You don’t know what another person is going through or why they’re seeking help.
13. Men Don’t Need Help: Everyone needs help once in a while. Mental health doesn’t discriminate on sex and gender. In fact, men are more likely to suffer from mental health illnesses compared to women, which is why we need to have more conversations about men’s mental health.
14. It’s Impossible To Prevent A Mental Health Problem: This is somewhat true. You cannot always prevent mental health illnesses. But, you can minimize the risk and be proactive, such as reducing stress and limiting a person’s exposure to their triggers. 
15. Mental Health Is Not Real: Yes, it is. No one wakes up one day and decides they want to die or that the world hates them. Mental health is a serious concern and should not be taken lightly in any circumstance. 

Things to Consider 

Mental health stigmas and discriminatory actions prevent people suffering from the illness and their loved ones from seeking professional help. They’re so worried about how family, friends, coworkers, and society will think of them, which results in them not seeking help. As their mental health illness gets worse, sometimes it leads to them taking their own lives. 

I encourage everyone dealing with mental health illnesses and their loved ones never to be afraid of seeking help. Nothing is embarrassing about having a mental health illness, and you should not be ashamed of it. Seeking help and educating yourself on various mental health issues is the best way to protect yourself and someone else from harm.