In the past decade, mental health awareness has surged thanks to campaigns and the bravery of public figures like Demi Lovato and Russell Brand, who have shared their struggles. Despite these efforts, the stigma surrounding mental health remains deeply entrenched, preventing many from seeking the help they need.
The reality is stark: 46 million Americans live with a mental illness, but only 41% seek treatment due to the pervasive stigma. Law students worry about being deemed unfit to practice, and athletes fear being ostracized by fans and peers. These fears underscore the ongoing battle against mental health stigma.
Historical Roots of Mental Health Stigma
The stigma around mental health has deep historical roots. In the 1970s, societal trends led to mental health treatment being separated from general healthcare, with limited insurance coverage. Substance use was labeled as a social problem rather than a health issue.
The 1980s saw health services defunded, leading to many treatment programs’ closures. This resulted in increased homelessness and public exposure to untreated mental illness and substance abuse, contributing to a surge in arrests. This chain of events has left a lasting impact, with nearly 70% of youth in juvenile justice systems having at least one mental health condition and depression being the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Today, the numbers continue to climb. High Watch Recovery Center reports that 50% of those with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and depression, and 80% of those with alcohol abuse, do not seek treatment. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that one in five people has a mental illness, and one in 25 will experience a severe mental illness each year.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies three main barriers to seeking treatment: affordability, lack of knowledge about where to go, and the stigma and shame associated with mental health conditions. These barriers are intertwined and rooted in the stigma that surrounds mental health.
Understanding Stigma
Stigma is a powerful social force that casts individuals with mental health conditions in a negative light. It creates an environment of shame, fear, and silence, preventing many from seeking the help they need. This stigma can be external, from family, community, friends, co-workers, or healthcare providers, who may view the individual as weak or disgraceful.
It can also be internal, with individuals internalizing negative beliefs about themselves, leading to self-inflicted shame and silence.
Mental health stigma is particularly insidious because it is based on misunderstanding and lack of visibility. Physical ailments like broken bones or heart conditions are visible and widely understood, but mental health issues often remain unseen and misunderstood.
This disparity leads to harmful attitudes, such as telling someone with depression to “just snap out of it” or “be grateful for what you have.” These misconceptions perpetuate stigma and silence those who need help the most.
The Impact on Various Groups
Stigma affects different groups in unique ways. For instance, three-quarters of men living with mental health conditions will never seek a doctor for fear of being seen as violent or dangerous. Elderly individuals may avoid treatment due to the belief that “being old means being depressed.”
Law students face discrimination in bar exams for pre-existing mental health conditions, with 45% discouraged from seeking treatment for fear of negative impacts on their bar admissions. Despite support for removing these discriminatory questions, 38 states still include them in bar exams.
Professional athletes also face significant stigma. Although there is no solid evidence of the prevalence of mental illness among professional athletes, their silence speaks volumes. High-profile cases of bizarre behavior or substance abuse highlight the need for mental health support in this community.
Athletes fear jeopardizing their careers and being ostracized by fans, peers, and decision-makers. However, some progress is being made, with professional teams hiring full-time psychologists to support their players.
Breaking the Silence
Despite increased conversations around mental health, the stigma still prevents many from seeking treatment. As a society, we must take concrete steps to break this silence. We need to educate ourselves, show compassion, and acknowledge the strength it takes to seek help. By speaking openly about mental health in a non-biased way, we can empower those living with mental illness to seek treatment.
If more people came forward to say, “I have depression,” or “I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,” mental health conditions would become part of a person’s life rather than their identity. This normalization can reduce stigma and encourage more individuals to seek the help they deserve.
Together, we can create a society where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health, where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, and where individuals can live without fear of discrimination or shame.
Let’s begin to speak openly about mental health, support those in need, and work towards a future where everyone has access to the treatment they deserve.
References
About Mental Illness. (2020). Retrieved from NAMI.org: nami.org
Banks, J. (2020). The Mental Illness Stigma Cripples Our Ability to See. University Wire.
Fisher, K. (2020). It’s Time to End the Fear and Stigma of Complex Mental Health. The Independent (Online).
Harris, J. C. (2020). Mental Health Remains a Stigma in Sports. New York Amsterdam News.
Holcombe, M. (2020). Law Students Say They Don’t Get Mental Health Treatment for Fear… CNN Wire Service.
Office of the Surgeon General. (2016). Facing Addiction in America. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Publications. (2020). Retrieved from SAMHSA: https://store.samhsa.gov/
Rochford, M. C. (2017). The Mental Illness Bias. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Thompsom, S. (2020). Did Coronavirus Help Reduce the Stigma of Mental Health Issues? Irish times.
