How To Challenge Stigmas When Seeking Help For Mental Health

The American Psychological Association defines stigma as “the negative social attitude attached to a characteristic of an individual that may be regarded as a mental, physical, or social deficiency.” When it comes to mental health, stigma can have a profound effect on the way that mental health challenges are perceived. As a result of stigma, individuals living with mental illness may be hesitant to talk about what they’re experiencing and seek help. This article will discuss stigma, its effects on people experiencing mental illness, and ways to challenge stigma and receive the support you deserve.  

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The effects of stigma

Stereotypes often contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health. Some people may falsely associate mental illness with weakness. This message can be internalized by individuals living with a mental disorder and lead them to feel nervous about talking to friends or family about what they’re experiencing. In many cases, family members of those with mental illness also experience the effects of stigma. They may feel hesitant to discuss a mental illness in the family out of fear that people will judge their loved ones. This fear may perpetuate hesitancy to seek help in their communities and keep these individuals from raising awareness of various mental health disorders. 

How stigma can keep people from seeking help

Some people may be afraid to discuss mental health challenges due to fear of judgment. This may be especially prevalent in small communities where information spreads especially quickly and everyone seems to know each other. However, the fear of judgment can occur even in large cities. 

In addition, some individuals may fear asking for time off from work for mental health treatment. They may fear retaliation or other professional consequences, such as not being considered for a promotion. In some cases, people experience not just the fear of what managers might think but also the fear of what their coworkers might say about them. 

Stigma among minority communities

While research shows that people from minority communities have been seeking support at high rates, some people from ethnic minority communities still face barriers to mental health care. If they are part of a tight-knit community, they may fear the community’s reaction to their mental illness and choice to seek treatment.

In some cultures, people may have certain ideas about mental health that have been passed on for generations. For example, some individuals may have been taught that seeking help can bring shame to their family. Consequently, they may fear speaking with a therapist, even if the therapist is from their cultural or linguistic background. 

Even when people are willing to speak to someone from their background, they may have trouble accessing culturally relevant care. In a survey on mental health care, people from minority communities were 57% more likely than others to face difficulty finding a mental health care provider. They were also 62% more likely to experience transportation barriers and 31% more likely to experience cost barriers. 

How to fight stigma with peer support

One way to fight stigma is to enlist the support of peers. If you know people who understand the importance of mental health care, you might consider asking them to help you with advocacy online or in the workplace. For example, you can post information online about the importance of mental health and ask them to like and re-post the content. You might also consider asking your employer if they celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month or other events that promote mental health advocacy.

Another, more personal way to fight stigma may be to discuss your own mental health journey. You may find that people are more willing to share their own mental health challenges if they hear you speak up. Your openness may even encourage people to seek the support they deserve.  

Finding mental health treatment despite stigma

Some people who experience the effects of stigma, whether from friends, family, or coworkers, may be hesitant to see a local therapist. They may fear someone finding out that they are experiencing mental health challenges. For people who aren’t ready to open up to family and friends, online support groups can be helpful. People who face stigma can also find evidence-based care through online therapy platforms.   

Online mental health services for anxiety, depression, and other disorders

Online therapy allows individuals to speak with licensed therapists from any location with an internet connection, which may be useful for people who don’t want to be overheard during therapy sessions at home. The treatment cost for online mental health care tends to be more affordable than that of traditional in-person therapy without coverage from a health insurance company or employee assistance program. 

In addition to being affordable and flexible, research shows that online therapy can effectively treat numerous mental illnesses. In a 2017 review, researchers studied the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). They found that ICBT was effective for social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorder, and substance use disorder, among other mental health conditions. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.