The Impact of Stigmatization on Mental Health
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo |
How does social stigma surrounding mental health affect individuals’ ability to seek help and recover? Stigmatization remains a significant barrier in addressing mental health conditions, often leading to delayed treatment, increased psychological distress, and worsening of symptoms. This article examines the multifaceted impact of stigmatization on mental health and its long-term consequences.
More than half of people with mental illness don’t receive help for their disorders. Often, people avoid or delay seeking treatment due to concerns about being treated differently or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood. That’s because stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness are still very much a problem. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness can be subtle or obvious—but no matter the magnitude, they can lead to harm. People with mental illness are marginalized and discriminated against in various ways, but understanding what that looks like and how to address and eradicate it can help. (American Psychiatric Association, s.f.)
According to Mayo Clinic, “stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that’s thought to be, or is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. Stigmas can lead discrimination. Discrimination may be obvious and direct, such as someone making a negative remark about your mental illness or your treatment. Or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding you because the person assumes you could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to your mental illness. You may even judge yourself.”
That’s why at this point, it’s worth returning to our research question and understanding how stigma affects our mental health and what social consequences arise from not overcoming it. American Psychiatric Association affirms: “stigma and discrimination can contribute worsening symptoms and reduces likelihood of getting treatment. A recent extensive review of research found that self-stigma leads to negative effects on recovery among people diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. Effects can include:
- Reduce hope
- Lower self-esteem
- Increased psychiatric symptoms
- Difficulties with social relationships
- Reduced likelihood or staying with treatment
- More difficulties at work
According to the study Understanding and Addressing Mental Health Stigma Across Cultures for Improving Psychiatric Care: A Narrative Review (Clement et al., 2023) “stigma plays a significant role in delaying treatment-seeking behavior for individuals struggling with mental health issues. The fear of being labeled, ostracized, or misunderstood duet to their conditions often deters individuals from seeking help promptly. Stigma was associated with an increase in the likelihood of delaying or avoiding seeking help for mental health concerns. Consequently, symptoms may worsen over time, escalating the condition’s severity and making treatment and prospective recovery more challenging. Healthcare delays can also lead to decreased self-esteem and increased depressive symptoms, creating a vicious cycle of self-blame, isolation, and hopelessness. Prolonged untreated mental health issues can further impair an individual’s functionality in various life domains, including work, relationships, and self-care, thus reducing their overall quality of life.
What are the types of stigma? (Raypole, 2020):
- Public stigma: Describes the overarching sentiment society has about people with a certain trait.
- Self-stigma: Happens when you accept public stigma.
- Perceived stigma: Happens when you believe (rightly or wrongly) the people around you, or society as a whole, would judge you negatively for having a certain trait.
- Label avoidance: Happens when you distance yourself from a stigmatized group.
- Structural stigma: Refers to institutional policies based on stigmatizing attitudes.
- Health practitioner stigma: Happens when a healthcare professional’s belief in racial, gender, or other stereotypes gets in the way of their ability to provide effective care.
- Associative stigma: Targets people connected to someone with a specific trait.
Having said that, mental health stigma remains a significant barrier to treatment in the United States, affecting millions of individuals who struggle with mental health conditions. According to recent data (BrainsWay, 2023): Only 16.5% of individuals with depression worldwide seek help, and stigma around mental health is one of the primary reasons; Over 50% of individuals will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, making such conditions more common and relatable than previously realized; in a study from 2018 that surveyed over a thousand participants, more than 30% held the stigmatizing belief that a weak personality causes depression.
So, how can we fight mental health stigma? According to the National Alliance on Mental Health Stigma (NAMI), n.d.:
- Talk openly about mental health
- Educate yourself and others
- Be conscious of language
- Encourage equality between physical and mental illness
- Show compassion for those with mental illness
- Choose empowerment over shame
- Be honest about treatment
- Let the media know when they are being stigmatizing
- Don’t harbor self-stigma
Mental health stigma significantly hinders individuals from accessing the care they require, exacerbating their conditions and contributing to harmful societal perceptions. Addressing this issue requires collective effort, starting with increased education and open conversations about mental health. Neighbors’ Consejo stands at the forefront of this fight, offering free therapy services in Washington DC, and leveraging social media to spread awareness and provide support. Together, we can break down these barriers, all the mental health stigmas, and create a world where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. 8n.d.). Stigma and discrimination. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., Maggioni, F., Evans-Lacko, S., Bezborodovs, N., & Thornicroft, G. (2023). Understanding and addressing mental health stigma across cultures for improving psychiatric care: A narrative review. Psychiatric Services, 74 (5), 474-482. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10220277/#:~:text=Stigma%20plays%20a%20significant%20role,study%20by%20Clement%20et%20al.
Raypole, C. (202, December, 3). What is stigma? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-stigma
BrainsWay (2023). Mental health stigmas. https://www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/mental-health-stigmas/
Wang, Z., &Schmitt, M. (2018). The impact of stigma on mental health service use: A systematic review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 64 (2), 112-122. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5798266/National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). 9 ways to fight mental health stigma. https://www.nami.org/education/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma/