Stigma

Have you ever noticed that people have a tendency to laugh or otherwise discount individuals that have a struggle that is not easily understood?

Mental health issues certainly fall into one of those categories that some people do not understand. Media sources often portray individuals with a mental illness (or diagnosis) in a negative light. They also tend to portray the illness inaccurately. Yet, it is important for all of us to grasp that mental illness is just that; an illness. It is the behaviors that often accompany these illnesses which create the stigma, as well as a lack of understanding.  

Like all other illnesses, mental illnesses are divided into categories. For example, there are mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders, substance use and dependency disorders, psychotic disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, and disorders that negatively impact a person’s ability to learn and understand. Most of these, and the other disorders that mental health professionals treat, have a biological component, and a sociological component. We all have genetics that increase or decrease the possibility that we will struggle with certain illnesses. Additionally, we all have an environment that influences our understanding of life. This understanding can contribute to our potentiality for mental illness. An individual does not choose his or her family genetics, and she or he does not get to choose the environment in which he or she grows up. Certainly, adults have the ability to choose their own environments. However, by the time a person becomes an adult, his or her behavioral patterns, and understandings of how the world works is a well-worn habit.

How should we respond to people that obviously struggle with mental illness? First, be a friend. Because so many people do have a stigma about individuals who struggle with mental illness, those who suffer at times do not have many friends. Those who struggle often can pick up on the resistance people have to them. This contributes to their understanding of the world around them, and actually makes their feeling of unacceptableness even more prominent.

Secondly, without pushing beyond the boundaries of your new friend, try to learn what the individual’s diagnosis is, and then learn about that diagnosis. The different categories of mental illness are distinct, but there are symptoms that overlap. Attempting to learn how your friend struggles can be a way of joining them in their fight. Done respectfully, your new friend may feel truly appreciative.

Third, learn the warning signs of a crisis. If you have a friend that you know has heart disease, you will want to be sure you know the signs of a heart attack and how to provide life-saving care, if you happen to be the first responder to a health crisis. Why not do the same thing for your friend that has a mental illness? The most common mental health emergencies include suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, psychotic thoughts, and substance dependency relapses. If you educate yourself on how to respond to situations like this, without trying to be a mental health professional, you can become confident in your ability to serve your new friend.

Fourth, know your own boundaries. Because there is a stigma associated with mental illness, and some people have been shun by the majority of society, they can become a person that always comes to you and express needs for more resources than you have available. Help a person get connected with other individuals that can also become their friend. You will not help yourself or your new friend by giving more than you have to offer.

Finally, focus on ways that you can be a part of the solution by sharing your experiences with others. Please, do not violate your new friend’s confidentiality by telling others something that your new friend would not want shared. Yet, there are ways that you can encourage others to do the above-mentioned steps themselves and teach them to be helpful to those who struggle. It is long past the time that we no longer allow something we don’t understand to make us respond negatively and disrespectfully to those around us.

In the coming weeks, Caring For the Soul will focus on helpful information about mental health struggles. Check back here for more information about depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other illnesses. At Olive Tree Family Counseling, we want to be a resource to help you learn more about caring for those around you.

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Depression: Illness or Weakness?

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Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child