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Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness

Erasing Mental Health Stigma

A stigma is extreme social disapproval of some type of personal characteristic or a belief that is not considered socially “acceptable.” We are pleased to offer a workbook series to help erase the stigma of mental health issues through awareness. We’ve included a special section in each workbook which contains activities for the practitioner to use with their clients to help them move beyond the mental health stigma 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.
 
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    When you purchase the entire Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness Workbook Collection, you save 30% on the print and PDF eBook collections!

     

    Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness Workbook Collection: Print $399.60 $279.76Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues Through Awareness Workbook Collection: PDF eBook $239.60 $167.76
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  • Managing Intense Anxiety
    Managing Intense Anxiety Workbook $49.95Managing Intense Anxiety Workbook: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Intense Anxiety Card Deck $9.95Managing Intense Anxiety: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
  • Managing Anxiety for Teens
    Managing Anxiety Workbook for Teens $49.95Managing Anxiety Workbook for Teens: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Anxiety for Teens Card Deck $9.95Managing Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
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    Managing Unwanted Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions Workbook $49.95Managing Unwanted Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions Workbook: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Unwanted Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions Card Deck $9.95Managing Unwanted Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
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    Managing Disruptive Behavior Workbook for Teens $49.95Managing Disruptive Behavior for Teens Workbook: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Disruptive Behavior for Teens Card Deck $9.95Managing Disruptive Behavior for Teens: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
  • Managing-Moods-Medium.gif
    Managing Moods Workbook $49.95Managing Moods Card Deck $9.95Managing Moods Workbook: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Moods Workbook: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
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    Managing Moods Workbook for Teens $49.95Managing Moods for Teens Card Deck $9.95Managing Moods Workbook for Teens: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Moods for Teens: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
  • Managing-Trauma-Medium
    Managing Trauma Workbook $49.95Managing Trauma Workbook: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Trauma Card Deck $9.95Managing Trauma: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95
  • Managing-Trauma-Teens-Medium
    Managing Trauma Workbook for Teens $49.95Managing Trauma Workbook for Teens: PDF eBook $29.95Managing Trauma for Teens Card Deck $9.95Managing Trauma for Teens: Print & PDF eBook Bundle $59.95

The Mental Health Stigma Awareness Approach

It is important that facilitators keep an open mind about mental health issues and the mental health stigma attached to people experiencing these issues. Rather than thinking of people as having a mental disorder or being mentally ill, the Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues through Awareness series helps facilitators diminish the stigma surrounding people suffering from all kinds of mental health issues. Stigmas occur when people are unduly labeled, which sets the stage for discrimination and humiliation. Facilitators can help erase the mental health stigma through enhanced awareness of the factors that activate the issues, accentuate the depth of the problems, and accelerate awareness and understanding.

To assist you, each of our workbooks in this series includes a module entitled Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues to provide activities for helping to erase the stigma associated with mental health issues.

In this workbook series, we've used a variety of umbrella terms and phrases to address mental health issues related to the following diagnoses to help erase the stigma associated with mental illness:

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 & 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 (old Manic-Depressive Disorder)

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Mood Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified

  • Persist Depressive Disorder/Dysthymia

  • Disruptive Mood & Dysregulation Disorder

Managing Unwanted Thoughts, Feelings, & Actions

  • Schizophrenia

  • Psychotic Disorder

  • Personality Disorders

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Brief Psychotic Disorder

  • Schizoaffective Disorder

Managing Disruptive Behavior in Teens

  • Conduct Disorder

  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder

  • Impulse Control Disorder

  • Disruptive Behavior Disorder

  • Intermittent Explosive Disorder

  • Kleptomania

  • Pyromania

A stigma is extreme social disapproval of some personal characteristic or a belief not considered socially "acceptable." Therefore, stigmas occur when people who have a particular attribute deemed unwanted by society are rejected due to the attribute. For example, people who experience bouts of moodiness are often judged unfairly as violent, unpredictable, moody, up and down, sad, explosive, aggressive, or unstable. These judgments can cause people who experience moodiness to feel devalued as human beings, ostracized from activities, rejected in social situations, stereotyped, minimized in the workplace, and shunned by others. People experiencing this mental health stigma of moodiness often feel extreme physical and psychological distress.

People who stigmatize and stereotype others bring about unfair treatment rather than help. This unfair treatment can be very obvious. For example, people make negative comments or laugh. On the other hand, this unfair treatment can be very subtle. For example, people assume that a moody person is dangerous or violent.

Mental health stigmas affect a large percentage of people throughout the world. Some common stigmas are associated with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, age, body type, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, family, ethnicity, race, religion, financial status, social sub-cultures, and conduct. Stigmas set people apart from society and produce feelings in them of shame and isolation. Stigmatized people are often considered socially unacceptable and suffer prejudice, rejection, avoidance, and discrimination.

What Can Be Done?

Continuing with the example of "moodiness," fear of judgment and ridicule about moodiness often compels individuals and their families to hide from society rather than face criticism, shunning, labeling, and stereotyping. Instead of seeking treatment, they struggle in silence. Let's discuss ways you can combat the stereotypes and stigmas associated with moodiness.

  • You and your loved ones have choices. You can decide who is to know about your moodiness and what to tell them. You need not feel ashamed or embarrassed.

  • You are not alone. Remember that many other people are coping with a similar situation.

  • Seek help and remember that the activities in this workbook and treatment from medical professionals can help you to have productive careers and live satisfying lives.

  • Be proactive and surround yourself with supportive people – people you can trust. Social isolation is a negative side effect of the stigma linked to moodiness. Isolating yourself and discontinuing enjoyable activities will not help.

Thank You

We appreciate your work with your clients to erase each mental health stigma they experience. We are always available to chat with you about your ideas and hear your suggestions for future workbooks in this series.