One of Degrassi’s most memorable qualities is its representation of various mental health issues such as anxiety, mood disorders, disordered eating, trauma, stress disorders, and suicide. Being able to discuss mental illnesses and the difficulties they present plays an important part in reducing the stigma surrounding them. 

Mental health stigma refers to prejudiced feelings and behavior towards those affected by poor mental health and psychological disorders based on negative stereotypes. Stigma can come from public, interpersonal, and internal sources, leading to lower recovery rates and societal inequity (Oexle et al., 2017).  It is perpetuated due to a lack of education surrounding mental illness and other cultural factors (Corrigan et al., 2016).  

When stigma is perpetuated in society, it becomes difficult for people struggling with severe mental illness to seek out and receive treatment (Corrigan et al., 2016). This can make their condition worse, isolate them from their friends and family, and in severe cases lead to death by suicide.