Changing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Matters
There’s a lot of stigma surrounding mental health matters, and while it’s slowly beginning to fade, those affected still experience feelings of shame and blame. Due to social media, AI, and our ever-present internet search engines, we have more helpful information at our fingertips than ever before, but that also means there are just as many people spouting negative attitudes and misconceptions to keep the stigma alive. As a result, the secrecy around mental health issues continues to prevent those most in need to seek the help they require and deserve.
But it’s not just those in crisis who need therapy and mental health attention. Nearly everyone has something they can work on in treatment that would improve their well-being. Quite frankly, it’s refreshing how today’s younger generation — especially celebrities — are more forthcoming about their mental health struggles.
From Shawn Mendes cancelling his entire tour, Billie Eilish discussing suicidal ideation, Selena Gomez’s commitment to getting mental health support and Lady Gaga openly discussing her struggles with psychosis, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the rapid de-stigmatization is breaking down barriers and reaching more people than ever before.
The American University conducted a 2015 study that found millennials were more likely to talk about their mental health matters, as well as to be accepting of others who struggle with it. In the decade since that study was published, this acceptance has found an even brighter place in the spotlight. As we’ve seen with leading pop stars, actors, and public figures, outspokenness has increased as the stigma further dissipates.
That’s not to say it’s just the younger generation talking about mental health. Just recently, Prince Harry announced he’d sought help from MI6 to address his mental health issues and look no further than Michelle Obama to prove that at age 60, it’s never too late to start talking openly about how therapy can help.
For those of us who have lived under the cloud of secrecy concerning mental health matters, it’s a significant relief to be able to open up to and freely discuss mental health awareness. Let’s explore how the continuation of de-stigmatizing therapy and mental health retreats can improve your mental health and well-being.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
When we talk about “mental health awareness”, what we really mean is recognizing the importance of mental health and how it affects nearly all aspects of our lives. Raising mental health awareness increases the understanding of how to protect and support mental health and the range of issues affecting it while reducing stigma and discrimination.
By increasing awareness, we can educate people about the realities of mental health conditions and the benefits of seeking help, as well as dispel myths and replace them with facts. Good mental health means that people understand how to manage difficult emotions in a healthy way, whether they are short-term responses to recent events or a reaction to trauma in the past.
Changing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Matters
But where do these stigmas and myths come from? The stigma around mental health matters arises from a lack of understanding and fear of mental health issues. This stigma often leads to discrimination and isolation, making it harder for people to talk about their struggles and seek treatment. This is why people continue to feel shame or fear for letting people know that they are struggling because they’ve been judged for opening up to someone in the past, unkind words were said about them, or people gossiped when they found out about their mental health condition.
By promoting mental health awareness, we can create an open, non-judgemental society where mental health challenges are treated with the same importance as physical health. This openness encourages more people to seek the support they need without fear of judgment.
According to theUK Mental Health Foundation, awareness efforts have “played an important part in securing greater political attention on mental health and support for increased investment in recent years.” What does this mean on a local level? While there’s still a lot to do, many more people are feeling comfortable opening up and talking about their experiences
Five Benefits of Mental Health Awareness
#1 The Ability to Recognize Signs of Poor Mental Health
Creating a mentally safe society means we need to be able to recognize the signs that indicate poor, deteriorating or dangerous mental health in ourselves and others. The faster someone can get professional help, the sooner the recovery.
#2 Create a Supportive Environment
When we recognize the signs of mental health issues, we can respond with empathy and understanding. People need to feel supported and reassured that they are valued as individuals.
#3 Use the Right Tools
Stress and anxiety can both contribute to poor mental health. Learning the right techniques to identify and deal with these issues is key to managing mental health. Those who know and practice mindfulness skills not only alleviate their own challenges but also pass these skills on to family, friends and co-workers.
#4 Reduce the Stigma
The greatest stigma surrounding mental health matters stems from a lack of understanding and fear of mental illness. This ignorance, misinformation, resistance to learning, lack of acceptance and other negative attitudes lead to discrimination, bullying, harassment and mistreatment. Reducing the stigma allows those affected to release their anxiety and fear surrounding treatment.
#5 Make Mental Health Activities Part of Everyday Life
You don’t know what you don’t know. But once you learn, you can make it part of your daily life. What does that look like? Participating in daily activities that promote strong mental health, such as being active outdoors, checking in with friends and family, speaking up if you feel fragile or on the edge of burnout with your job, and taking time out for yourself and your mental health.
How do we increase awareness and public acceptance?
While celebrities posting on social media and giving interviews about their mental health challenges have definitely moved the needle in a positive position, it’s not enough. The conversation around mental health matters needs to be evidence-based and inclusive in order to deal with the root causes as well as debunk the myths and stigmas surrounding it.
Just like a cancer diagnosis of years past —yes, cancer used to be a shameful little secret that you needed to keep hidden — society must be educated about mental health matters. We now know to pay attention to our physical bodies to avoid things like heart disease, type 2 diabetes or some preventable cancers. But what are we doing to stay “healthy” when it comes to mental health? Without public acceptance, education and normalization of such matters, when mental health is fragile, ignored, or shamed, people will naturally go back into hiding their experience.
By developing a greater understanding of mental health issues, people can start to recognize those in their lives who may be dealing with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation or other conditions that affect their mental well-being. In addition, this increased awareness leads to a greater push for advocacy groups to disseminate their message.
Thankfully, this is now being addressed by mental health groups, which are raising awareness through Mental Health Awareness Month and social media challenges. By investing in building good mental health awareness, we can eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health matters.
The push for greater understanding seems to be working. A 2019 poll conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) showed that 87% of Americans feel “having a mental health disorder isn’t a cause of shame.” In addition, 86% said they believe those with mental health disorders can get better. Furthermore, the survey indicated that 81% of people stated they’d either be very or somewhat comfortable being friends with an individual who has a mental health disorder.
These positive reactions hint at a more accepting environment for those with mental health issues, one where they don’t have to be embarrassed, ashamed, or silent.
Need a Mental Health Break?
The Place Retreats, along with our gifted team of therapists and holistic practitioners, understands the importance of mental health retreats. Surrounded by nature with lush, tropical Balinese gardens, our luxury retreat centre is a private sanctuary where clients have a restorative space to process and heal while also helping them rediscover themselves, plan, and rebuild a new life.
If you’re ready to learn more, reach out to The Place Retreats for your free 15-minute consultation. Let us design a tailor-made mental health retreat to rediscover yourself. You don’t have to do this alone.
