“Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.”
Noam Shpancer
Mental health is an integral part of the well-being of humans yet it is not given as much importance as physical health. The deep-rooted stigma about mental health prevents people from consulting a therapist. Mental health concerns are overshadowed by the pervasive stigma that surrounds mental illness. This deep-rooted stigma has far-reaching consequences, not only for individuals struggling with mental health challenges but also for society as a whole. Public misconceptions and stereotypes contribute to the notion that mental health challenges are a sign of weakness or incompetence, fostering judgment and discrimination. The institutions have also been prioritizing physical health more than mental health which is one of the major causes for the prejudices, stereotypes, and misconceptions people have about mental health.
Language plays an important role in affecting someone, the typical words that have been used by people to describe mental illness and the patient may be traumatizing for the person who is suffering. These stigmas collectively create an environment where individuals may feel isolated, discouraged, and hesitant to share their struggles openly, perpetuating the cycle of discrimination and hindering efforts to address mental health with empathy and understanding. The consequences of stigma are far-reaching, they affect both the individual and society in several ways. The individual may feel shameful and underconfident in sharing their problems and it also leads them to isolate themselves from society and lose their self-esteem. The fear of being judged by people can make their mental illness even worse and it can affect their relationship with others in many ways. On a societal level, deep-rooted stigmas make people insensitive, judgemental, and biased which leads them to think and talk blindly about mental illness that has been spoken since human beings started to exist.
There are various ways in which the cycle of stigma can be broken. The promotion of accurate information about mental health through educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities can aware and educate people about it. Sharing personal stories and encouraging others to openly talk about their problems by giving them an environment in which they feel comfortable. Advertisements of counsellors and psychiatrists on television, newspapers social media can motivate people to go for therapy. Encouraging the use of non-stigmatizing language and avoiding derogatory terms, fosters respectful communication that separates the person from their condition. Healthcare authorities should start giving mental health as much importance as physical health and they should also make sure whether the hospitals have enough resources for it or not.
In conclusion, dismantling the deeply entrenched stigma surrounding mental health demands a collective commitment to fostering empathy, understanding, and systemic change. People should be prioritizing mental health as they prioritize physical health and society has to accept the fact that mental health is as important as physical health and that it is not a monster that will eat people but the consequences of stigmas may! It can affect a person in many ways like low self-esteem, lack of confidence and the fear of being judged can lead them to isolate themselves from people and affect their relationships as well. People should get a comfortable environment in which they feel free to share their problems and seek solutions. Mental illnesses and their therapy should be normalized in society to grow as humans personally as well as socially.
Written by Yashvi Asodiya | Edited by Nirjara Poptani
