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Stigma is a mark of disgrace that is rooted in only the judgment of others. A person judged by illness experiences stereotyping and prejudice. Stigma is often accompanied by feelings of shame, embarrassment, and hopelessness. It is often the primary reason people do not seek help when they experience symptoms of mental illness.
Stigma is a mark of disgrace that is rooted in only the judgment of others. A person judged by illness experiences stereotyping and prejudice. Stigma is often accompanied by feelings of shame, embarrassment, and hopelessness. It is often the primary reason people do not seek help when they experience symptoms of mental illness.
What is Stigma? Why is it a Problem?
What is Stigma? Why is it a Problem?
Stigma is when someone, or even you yourself, views a person in a negative way just because they have a mental health condition. Some people describe stigma as a feeling of shame or judgment from someone else. Stigma can even come from an internal place, confusing feeling bad with being bad.
Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation, blame and secrecy that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge challenges to reaching out, getting needed support and living well. Learning how to avoid and address stigma are important for all of us, especially when you realize stigma’s effects:
People experiencing mental health conditions often face rejection, bullying and discrimination. This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult.
Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States.
Even though most people can be successfully treated, less than half of the adults in the U.S. who need services and treatment get the help they need.
The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth ages 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death for all Americans.
Why Be Stigma-Free?
Why Be Stigma-Free?
Approximately 1 in 4 adults are affected by mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety or alcohol and substance use disorders, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The umbrella of mental illness covers depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder ADHD, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and many other health conditions that can interfere with daily life. Genetics, environment and lifestyle are contributing factors in development of mental illness. Despite the prevalence of mental illness, more than half of people affected will not seek treatment. The primary reason individuals fail to seek the help they need is due to the stigma associated with the disease of mental illness. Such stigmas evoke a sense of shame and fear of judgment from friends, family and co-workers. These stigmas are often based in a lack of knowledge or training.
It is our goal to disseminate information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help and support they need.
Joining the Stigma-Free Initiative will:
Joining the Stigma-Free Initiative will:
Educate residents that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such
Raise awareness of the prevalence of mental illness in our community
Provoke public interest in learning what is “STIGMA-FREE”
Providing residents an opportunity to become involved in their community
Allow people living with the disease to feel supported by their community and thus decrease feelings of isolation and shame
Link people in need to local mental health resources
Raise awareness that care is accessible regardless of income
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