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The Emotional Side of STDs
The physical health issues caused by carrying an STD are well known and taught in our society, however, the mental health issues associated with carrying an STD may be just as big a problem. Only through proper education on these associated mental health issues can we hope to fix this problem. STDS are infections spread mainly through sexual activity and or contact with bodily fluids. They can be harmful to the carrier physically and mentally.
Fig. 1. USA Facts. Total Reported Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis cases in the US 2012- 2021. 8 March. 2025
What are STDS? According to the Mayo Clinic, the top ranked hospital in the nation, “Sexually transmitted diseases are infections spread mainly by contact with genitals or bodily fluids. Also called STDs, STIs or venereal disease, sexually transmitted infections are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Sexual activity includes genital touching or sexual intercourse” (Mayo Clinic). For most people, this is not the first time learning about STDs, however, many people disregard or are oblivious to the mental health issues associated with STDs.
An article states, “While the physical health consequences of STDs are well known, less attention is often given to the emotional impact of an STD diagnosis” (Hope Globe). Being diagnosed with an STD can be a very emotional experience eliciting emotions such as shame, fear, guilt, and anger. This is a widespread occurrence, and some people may feel as if their lives have been ruined. According to an article from Hope Across the Globe, common mental health issues linked to STDs are anxiety and depression. Both of these mood disorders can uproot a person’s life resulting in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and thoughts of self-harm.
Why should we care about the impact on mental health that is associated with STDs? An article from USA Facts states “The CDC estimates that one in five Americans has an STD” (USA Facts). As of 2024, there are approximately 337 million Americans, this means that approximately 67.4 million Americans have an STD. This means that if you were to engage in sexual activity with 5 different people, there is a 100% chance one of them carries an STD. If people are this likely to be diagnosed with an STD, any related issues cannot be ignored. And that is the reason the mental health issues associated with STDs need to be acknowledged.
Now let’s talk about the solution. Many schools already teach a curriculum that involves information on STDs, however, there is very little mention about the mental health aspect. After reading the National Sex Education Standards, I have found no mention of the Mental impact of carrying an STD. This is unacceptable. We must educate people on all issues associated with diseases they have the potential to come into contact with. Just educating people on the physical aspect of a disease does not encompass the whole threat of the disease. So that is where the solution comes into play. I propose we add a section in the National Sex Education Standard curriculum dedicated to informing people of the mental health issues that result from carrying an STD. This section does not need to take more than a week or two, but it is important enough that it requires more than one class.
Fig. 2. CDC. The State of STIs in the U.S. in 2023. March 8. 2025
Fig. 3. trdtreatment. Depression Symptoms. 8 March. 2025
To do this, first, we need to review the existing standards of education. This involves getting an even deeper understanding of the National Sex Education Standards. The next step is already complete, addressing the gap. No section in the National Sex Education Standards addresses the mental health behind carrying an STD. The third step is developing the content, which would be added to fill this gap. And the final step is to seek endorsement. We need support from relevant organizations that agree that this change needs to happen. After doing all of this, hopefully, we could implement a new section into the National Sex Education Standards curriculum, bringing awareness to the problem.
The impact of implementing this new section into the curriculum has no downsides. Bringing awareness to a problem is the first step to getting rid of it. If more people are aware of the detriment to mental health caused by STDs, everybody would be better off. These diseases affect 1 in 5 of us, and being more knowledgeable of a disease you have the potential to contract is nothing but beneficial. There is no cure for STDs or Mental Health disorders, so the best we can do is address these problems. Hopefully, the curriculum inspires a young mind to seek a more permanent solution to these problems.
Fig. 4. Trdtreatment. Symptoms of Anxiety. 8 March, 2025
The physical health issues caused by carrying an STD are well known and taught in our society, however, the mental health issues associated with carrying an STD may be just as big a problem. Only through proper education on these associated mental health issues can we hope to fix this problem. This is a major problem that affects many of us, and it needs to be brought forward. The next step is to implement a change in the curriculum, bringing more awareness and the potential to end the problem once and for all.
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