So you want to help break down the mental health stigma? Congratulations! The world needs more caring and compassionate people to speak out against the negative perceptions of mental illnesses. Many have the passion and desire to help, but it may not be clear how to direct that passion into action. With this idea in mind, we have created a blog post of some practical ways we can all help to break down the mental health stigma.
Education is everything
It is hard to speak out against incorrect statements and thoughts if you are uncertain about the facts. This is why it is important to learn as much as you can about different mental illnesses. Thankfully, information is more easily accessible than ever before. A quick search around the internet, reading a scientific journal, or even finding a blog post are all great ways to grow your knowledge.
Start small
No one can learn everything there is to know about mental health all at once. Start by researching the most common conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD. It may be helpful to attend a talk or watch a youtube video on a condition that interests you. Whatever way you learn best, commit yourself to learn more about mental illnesses.
Check out our conditions pages to see fact pages on a wide variety of mental health concerns.
If you want a more in-depth look, we wrote a complete guide to anxiety and depression. Be sure to check them out!
Begin in your home
You can have the biggest impact on the people who live with you – this is especially true if you are raising children. One of the best ways to have a more compassionate view of mental illness is to teach your children about mental health. Many parents shy away from certain topics out of fear that it will frighten or put ideas into their children’s heads. This should not deter parents from having an open and honest conversation. In fact, a study on suicide rates found that talking to children about suicide actually decreased their chances of having suicidal tendencies. Choose to be mindful of a child’s age and level of understanding when picking your topics, and be clear and concise.
Change up the Vocabulary
Stigmas have subtly made their way into everyday conversations, and little comments can change the perception of what a mental illness is. For example, saying “I am so OCD, I need my desk to be clean” can minimize the experience of someone with OCD who has debilitating intrusive thoughts. This is because OCD is so much more than liking a space to be neat and tidy – it is obsessing over frightening thoughts and trying to do something to make the thoughts go away. Often, individuals with OCD know that their actions will only provide temporary relief, but that relief is often better than being terrified. With this in mind, choosing to change the way we speak about mental illness can help create a safe and caring atmosphere for those with mental conditions.
Participate in a Mental Health Event
While it might take some searching around, finding a mental health-centered event is a great way to raise awareness and fight the stigma with other caring people. One way to start is by following foundations on social media that are local to your area and represent something you are passionate about. In Utah Valley, there are several amazing organizations. Here are a few that we really like:
- The Emily Effect – a foundation that holds regular events centered around Postpartum Depression and other perinatal mood disorders.
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – a national foundation that raises awareness and educates on suicide prevention. Their most famous events are their walks for suicide prevention.
- Encircle – This LGBTQIA+ mental health organization has events ranging from small-scale group meetings to workshops and art nights. It is a great way to get involved with the LGBTQIA+ community.
If events are not your thing, there are other options to support foundations like these. You can donate your time or money to help keep these organizations running smoothly, which is always an excellent way to get involved.
Have someone to support
You might not be able to change the entire world all at once, but you can help a friend who is struggling. With the statistics showing that 1 in 5 people have a mental disorder in any given year, the odds you know and love someone with a mental illness are pretty good. Actively extending kindness and support to someone with a mental illness can help them to recover more quickly and successfully than those who don’t have a support system of any kind. Plus, showing someone love and compassion when they have a mental illness (or any time really) is a great way to show them that the negative stigma surrounding mental health are not something you support.
Have someone who can support you
In contrast to the previous point, be sure that you have someone to lean on as well. You shouldn’t have to give so much of yourself that you burn out. If you neglect your own mental health, you will not be as authentic, compassionate, or fulfilled. In times where you need help, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who you can rely on. This could be as simple as texting a close friend, spending quality time with your spouse, or scheduling a few extra appointments with your mental health provider. If you refill your mental health bucket, you can supply your love and compassion from a strong place.
Take care of you
It would be remiss of us not to mention the importance of practicing some self-care. Self-care is slightly misunderstood as it is used so often across social platforms and the internet. While practicing self-care is not a cure-all for trauma, mental illness, or toxic friendships, self-care does help incorporate your mental health into your daily list of priorities. Too often, the day-to-day forces people to sacrifice their mental health or their boundaries for the sake of meeting a deadline, getting a job done, or simply getting through the day. When these situations happen enough, it is easy to see self-care as a selfish waste of time. This is another subtle stigma that directly impacts your mental health.
Switch Up Your Self-Care
Self-care is not selfish, and it is more than getting a massage or taking a bubble bath. Self-care is a way of saying, “My mental state is important,” and taking action to ease your stress. If that one disorganized closet has been bothering you for months, an act of self-care would be to finally tidy it up. Maybe you are exhausted and love the relaxation that yoga brings. In this case, yoga is an act of self-care. Your routine is as customizable as you are and choosing to prioritize your mental state can help you in a big way.
The Wrap Up
Changing the stigma surrounding mental health doesn’t need to be a giant act. Small, everyday acts of kindness and compassion – both to others and to yourself – are the most sustainable ways to change the conversation.
If you liked this blog post, we are certain you will like 10 Mental Health Myths (and the truth behind them.) Be sure to check it out!
