Tue. Mar 19th, 2024
Mental HealthImage Credits: UNICEF/2020/ R. Kantarxhiu

The seminal World Mental Health Report of the current year, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides a detailed analysis of the present structure of mental health in the world and inspires us to support the world in transforming mental health.

One of the key barriers that the report discusses is the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions, which makes mental health care extremely difficult to access.

It is not a country-specific or region-specific phenomenon. Around the globe, individuals living with such conditions are subjected to deep-rooted stigma and discrimination.

Every year, more than 7,00,000 people take their own lives, while even more attempt suicide. Societies have vehement debates about whether or not it is cowardly, but no one acknowledges the big “why” it is done.

This is not to negate the fact that suicide is a tragedy that affects families, society at large, and a country, and has a devastating impact on the people who are left behind. However, it is taboo and stigmatized, making it difficult to handle and making it more than just a serious public health issue.

Generally, society has stereotyped views about mental health and how it affects people.

Despite stark differences between conditions, people who are suffering from any kind of mental health condition, whether it is dementia, depression, or anxiety, are often assumed to be lazy, unintelligent, or difficult. As the report suggests, these assumptions are stereotypes based on certain false notions.

Of course, they are often perceived as violent and dangerous, while they are at the greatest risk of harming themselves.

Stigma and discrimination

Stigma hides behind many faces. Stigma jeopardizes the wellbeing of a person suffering from mental health conditions even more because, on the one hand, they battle with the symptoms and disabilities and, on the other hand, they are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudices, which are the misconceptions revolving around mental health.

Generally, public stigma refers to the general perceptions that society holds about mental health, which includes stereotypical notions such as that they are dangerous, addicts, or criminals, and then develops into fear.

Due to this, discrimination is often the result, as people question the ‘efficiency’ of the individual dealing with mental health problems. Withhold employment or assistance, for example.

As P.W. Corrigan and A.C. Watson explains, self-stigma is when people with mental health conditions internalize the negative messages and stereotypes and apply them to themselves. This results in low self-esteem and low self-efficacy.

Breaking stereotypes

Raising awareness in the community and breaking the misconceptions and stereotypes about mental health conditions is needed to make progress in not just preventing suicides but also making mental health care accessible.

The two challenges that must be addressed now are entrenched stigma and a rigid mindset about how people with such conditions should be treated.

Therefore, on this World Mental Health Day, let’s learn and unlearn some values and make the world a more inclusive place for all.

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