Mental Illness: Breaking the Stigma and Offering Support

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four individuals today suffer from mental illness. Despite this alarming statistic, physical illnesses tend to receive more attention than mental illnesses. The possible reason may be that physical wounds and symptoms are visible, whereas mental illness may be elusive at times. However, just because everything seems fine on the surface, it does not mean that individuals who suffer from mental illness are not going through a great deal of pain.

Unfortunately, individuals with mental illness face widespread mistreatment, and one of the most common misconceptions is that they lack the willpower to overcome their problems. This is as thoughtless as telling a person on life support to get up, as portrayed in Robot Hugs’ comic “Helpful Advice.” By giving advice based on wrong assumptions, we harm people who suffer from mental illness and prevent them from understanding their struggle, causing them to feel like they are a burden to their closest ones or drawing attention away from their condition.

Another common misconception about mental illness is that it manifests itself in the same form and that all sufferers behave in a socially unacceptable way and are completely dysfunctional. With many high functional types of the disease, it is becoming increasingly challenging for family members, partners, co-workers, and friends to recognize any symptoms, which lessens the chances for proper and timely treatment.

So, what can we do to help? Firstly, we should seek new ways to help the distressed, given our new insights into the diseases. Scientists are proving that isolated mental facilities are not increasing the chances of recovery, which gives smaller communities a chance to help in prevention and treatment alike.

This means that families and people closest to the patient can now have a more significant role in the recovery process. We should take the time to truly understand a person’s challenges without any assumptions and talk to them in a loving and compassionate manner, making them feel safe and supported. Professional assistance is required in most cases, yet the support a patient gets from family and friends, along with therapy, is crucial for recovery. It is also essential to make them feel a part of the team/family/community by including them in activities of their choice.

Breaking the Stigma

Stigma often accompanies mental illness, and it serves as a significant barrier to recovery. People believe that those who have a mental illness are weak, lazy, or dangerous, which is entirely untrue. The stigma can influence how they are treated by their families, the general public, and even healthcare professionals, making them feel ashamed of their condition and deterring them from seeking treatment. A person suffering from mental illness suffers not only from the disease itself but also from this social stigma.

To break the stigma, we should stand up and raise awareness about mental illness. Education is essential in challenging stigma and raising awareness about the realities of mental illness. Everyone should learn to identify the symptoms and familiarize themselves with ways to support their loved ones who suffer from the disease. Encouragement to seek therapy is an excellent way to break the stigma related to mental illness, as it helps the sufferer overcome their fears and reach out for help. We must normalize receiving care and normalize seeking support.

Conclusion

Mental illness is a reality that we should face head-on. It is time for us to prioritize conversations about mental health and emphasize the need for support and care for those who are struggling. Families and communities play a vital role in the treatment and prevention of mental illness, and we should take care to support our loved ones with mental illness as they navigate their journey toward recovery. By breaking the stigma associated with mental illness, we can help change attitudes and make the world a brighter place for those who experience these illnesses.