Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness

Reducing Mental Health Stigma with Practical Counseling Tools

A stigma is extreme social disapproval of some type of personal characteristic or a belief that is not considered socially “acceptable.” The Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness workbook series helps diminish these barriers through awareness and guided self-exploration. Each workbook includes a special module with activities designed to help clients move beyond stigma, embrace their experiences, and accept the help they need.

Each workbook contains fully reproducible activities for groups and individuals and is available as a print book, an eBook, or a combo pack.

Learn more about the evidence-based theory Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) behind the workbooks.

The Mental Health Stigma Awareness Approach

Facilitators play a powerful role in reducing stigma. Rather than labeling people as “mentally ill,” the series provides resources to help practitioners create understanding and reduce discrimination. Stigmas can set the stage for humiliation, prejudice, and avoidance. By raising awareness and promoting healthy dialogue, facilitators can help individuals reclaim dignity and connection.

To assist you, each workbook in this series includes a module entitled Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues offering activities to address stigma directly.

Diagnoses and Issues Addressed

The Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness series uses umbrella terms and phrases to address mental health issues connected to a wide range of diagnoses, including:

Managing Intense Anxiety and Managing Anxiety for Teens
- Panic Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Managing Trauma and Managing Trauma for Teens
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Adjustment Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Hypervigilance
- Exaggerated Startle Response
Managing Moods and Managing Moods for Teens
- Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Disorder)
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Mood Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified
Managing Unwanted Thoughts, Feelings, & Actions
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Brief Psychotic Disorder
Managing Disruptive Behavior in Teens
- Conduct Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Impulse Control Disorder
- Disruptive Behavior Disorder
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Kleptomania
- Pyromania

Discussion Starter Card Decks

Every workbook in this series has a corresponding Discussion Starter Card Deck available separately. These decks feature open-ended questions that match specific workbook pages, making them a practical way to:

Break the ice
Encourage discussion
Introduce sensitive topics
Promote self-reflection

Facilitators can use the decks on their own, or in combination with the workbooks for deeper exploration. The card decks provide a non-threatening way to begin meaningful conversations and reinforce stigma-reducing strategies.

Why Erasing the Stigma Matters

Mental health stigma often leads to shame, isolation, and avoidance of treatment. These resources help clients reframe experiences, reduce fear of judgment, and build healthier ways of relating to others.

Who These Workbooks Support

Perfect for counselors, social workers, teachers, group facilitators, and healthcare providers working with teens and adults. Individuals struggling with anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, or disruptive behavior will also benefit from the exercises and discussions.

Starting the Conversation

Browse the full Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness workbook series and its companion Discussion Starter Card Decks to find the tools that best meet the needs of your clients, groups, or classrooms.