Stigma is a negative attitude that someone holds about a person or a group for a particular reason, often from a lack of understanding. Mental health stigma can lead to shame, a lack of hope, and can prevent people from seeking the support or treatment they need.

Understanding stigma about mental illness

Stigma, in relation to mental illness, refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, and discrimination that people with mental health conditions often face.

This can include being labelled or judged solely by their diagnosis, rather than being seen as individuals. Stigma can lead to people being treated unfairly, excluded, or misunderstood, which can make it harder for them to seek help or talk openly about their experiences.

Stigma can come from society, employers, the media, friends, family, or even from the individuals themselves.

The impact of mental health stigma

Stigma often involves using language or labels that reduce a person to their condition, such as calling someone "mentally ill" instead of recognising them as a person living with a mental health condition.

It can also be reinforced by negative phrases like "suffering from", which imply powerlessness and a lack of hope for improvement.

Stigma is a barrier to breaking down misconceptions and can prevent people from accessing the support they need.

Tackling mental health stigma

Reducing stigma in this way will create an inclusive and supportive society where people living with mental illness feel understood, respected, and empowered to seek help without fear of judgment.

We can do this by changing the way we talk. For example, instead of saying someone "is schizophrenic," it is more respectful and accurate to say they "live with schizophrenia" or "have a diagnosis of schizophrenia." This recognises the person first, not just their condition, and helps reduce stigma.

Being open to both talking about the topic of mental health and listening to someone experiencing a mental health problem is a great way to tackle stigma. As is learning more about what it really means to live with a mental illness.