May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which was created to break the stigma often associated with talking about mental health issues or finding care. In fact, we have observed Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949. That’s 71 years. That’s three to four generations of people who have needed help that’s essential to function in daily life but have been stigmatized and shamed for this. So, the fact that this stigma still exists in 2020 isn’t something I’m happy about.
Mental Health Issues Impact 20% of Americans
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in America experiences a mental illness. One in twenty-five lives with a serious mental illness. And 60% of adults with a mental illness didn’t receive mental health services in the previous year. These percentages are most likely lower than the truth due to the enduring stigma.
One in 5 adults experiences a mental illness in their lifetime.
Living with mental health issues can lead to physical issues. The different systems of the body all work together, so when one system is not functioning at peak performance, the rest of the body suffers. Stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to digestive problems, cardiovascular issues, skin problems, and a variety of diseases and afflictions.
People with untreated mental health issues often struggle with job performance, financial matters, romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships. Mental illness can also lead to suicide or violence toward others.
The Stigma of Mental Health Issues
So why don’t people find treatment? Many do not know how to find a healthcare provider; others cannot afford it. Some have old fashioned notions of what therapy is like. There is also still a huge stigma surrounding actually participating in treatment or admitting that you have a mental health issue.
In a blog post last September, I shared a study in which researchers asked participants to describe people with mental health issues. Some of the words included: nuts, screw loose, freak, crazy, loony, psycho, weird. It’s easy to see how someone would not want to be labeled with any of those terrible adjectives. I mean, think about it. If someone is unsure of what treatment might look like, or how to even start the process of finding a caregiver, and they know that this is how some people perceive someone with a mental health issue, the last thing they will want to do is to get labeled this way. The fear of being called crazy or psycho – or it getting out into their social circle that they are crazy or psycho- is a far bigger problem to them in that moment than actually living with the mental health issue.
How Can You Help Reduce the Stigma Associated with Mental Health Issues?
So, what can you do to help reduce the stigma? Everyone can start by avoiding using the language above, whether describing people with actual clinical mental health diagnoses or just in casual conversation. Changes like this don’t happen quickly, but the less we refer to people as freaks or nuts, the less popular those terms will be.
You can also check out the website, Seize the Awkward. It’s geared somewhat to college students, but the advice is solid for older adults. There are some great tips about how to start a conversation with someone who you believe needs help and where to direct them to get the professional help that they need. You can also share some of the social media posts created by NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Month/Mental-Health-Month-Social-Media. There are other Mental Health Awareness Digital Toolkits that you can find via Google. You never know when a simple free resource could help someone change their entire life for the better.
And finally, the nicer we are to each other, the more understanding we are of what other people are going through, the better. If you are comfortable telling a friend that you yourself went through counseling, the more likely it is that your friend will see that there is not a stigma associated with finding treatment for whatever is bothering them. You don’t have to solve their issues – in fact, you shouldn’t try – it is enough to just let them know that you too have sought out help and that it is a perfectly acceptable part of taking care of yourself, the same as going to the doctor for a sprained ankle or a persistent cough.
Mental Health Awareness Should Be Every Month
The most important thing is to do these actions all year round so that eventually we won’t need a special month, or toolkits, or special hashtags. The goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to no longer need to observe Mental Health Awareness Month. Together we can work on making counseling and mental health care just another part of everyday life. Please reach out to us at Forward Emotion at 630-999-8236 or info@forwardemotion.com any time you or someone you love needs assistance.
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