Mental health is a crucial part of overall wellness and can have significant impacts on the lives of people around the world. Yet, despite a variety of milestone improvements in treatment and awareness efforts over the years, stigma remains an impediment to help-seeking. Many people with a mental health condition avoid seeking treatment because of the negative stigma associated with psychiatry and other forms of healthcare, while others are not aware that a mental illness is even an issue in the first place.
Stigma, prejudice and discrimination can take many forms, including:
The good news is that there’s a lot that individuals can do to support and promote mental health awareness. One of the most effective methods is by reducing stigma itself, which is often the root cause for a lack of help-seeking behaviour. This can be achieved through progressive government policies, an engaged media, a responsive education system and aggressive utilization of newer technologies.
Another approach is through mental health education in schools. Studies have shown that when children and adolescents are taught how to recognize the signs of mental health issues, they are more likely to seek treatment if they experience symptoms. It’s also important to teach students how to manage a mental health crisis, and how to address and prevent bullying, substance abuse and unhealthy coping behaviors. In addition, teachers should be equipped with tools to enable students to speak up when they or a peer is in distress.
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