Does the Stigma of Mental Illness Still Exist?

Surely, one would think, the stigma of mental illness no longer exists. Old, scary mental hospitals are crumbling ruins. Those who suffer from mental illness are protected by laws to free them from discrimination in the work place and in housing.

What is a stigma anyway? The website founded by Glenn Close, Bring Change 2 Mind says this: “Stigma is broadly defined as a collection of adverse and unfair beliefs.  The stigma around mental health most often leads to the inaccurate and hurtful objectification of people as dangerous and incompetent.  The shame and isolation associated with stigma prevent people from seeking the help necessary to live healthy and full lives.”  (Retrieved 8/3/15 from http://bringchange2mind.org.) Awards are given to honor those who work to bring about change, such as the 20th annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards are on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, California. Click here to read about this year’s winners. 

Here is an article taken from Bring Change 2 Mind that has a very important message:

Bring Change 2 Mind, in partnership with Brandon Marshall’s Project 375, launched#StrongerThanStigma to raise awareness around the unique challenges that men face when discussing mental health, to encourage open dialogue, and to promote help seeking behavior.

#StrongerThanStigma features four inspirational male figures from professional sports leagues, television, and the music industry who have each made mental health advocacy a part of their platform.  These headliners are Brandon Marshall, NFL All-Pro wide receiver for the New York Jets; Ben Scrivens, NHL goalie for the Edmonton Oilers; Michael Angelakos, lead singer of indietronica band Passion Pit; and Wayne Brady, comedian and actor.  Each man either lives with a mental health diagnosis or has chosen to serve as an empathetic advocate, and shares his story and encourages men to start the conversation and end the stigma.

Over the past thirty years, the rate of suicide among men has been three to four times that of women.  Traditionally, however, men have shied away from talking about their feelings as it is viewed as negative and weak.  In addition to a reluctance to seek help, men have higher levels of isolation, and of drug and alcohol misuse; are at a greater risk for homelessness; display more externalized and destructive behaviors; and are more involved with the criminal justice system.

Retrieved on 8/3/15 from http://bringchange2mind.org/about-us/psas/.

What else can be done to erase the stigma of mental health? Click here to read about what teenagers in California are doing.  With their organization called “LETS” for Let’s erase the stigma they are working with school age folks to who choose to talk about mental illness.

Melissa Thomson of the Huffington Post reminds us of this important fact: “Look to your left. Look to your right. Look behind you. Look in front of you. One of the people you just saw has been diagnosed with a mental illness.” We all know folks with mental illness whether we know it or not. Actors, newscasters, mailmen, doctors, housewives, teachers, Wall Street tycoons, anyone can have mental illness. Most everyone can learn to manage it well.

Join the fight. Speak up when you hear someone belittling someone who is “just plain crazy”. If people tell jokes about the mentally ill, stand up and say that’s not OK. If you see someone with mental illness being bullied step in and stop it. Do what’s right…it feels great. If we all work together we can erase the stigma!