Stigma

Stigma is when a character trait, or action, is disgraced, shamed, or deemed unacceptable in society. Mental health stigma has existed for years, and stigma surrounding mental health can be due to varying reasons. People may not know about mental health problems or mental disorders, or may not have a large enough knowledge of them, they may misunderstand mental health problems, or they may not believe it or make excuses for people.

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Mental health stigma can be very harmful. It can make people who are already suffering feel less or shameful, and it can prevent them from getting help in the fear of being judged or shamed. A study from the British Journal Psychiatry in 2011 found that nearly 9 out of 10 mental health service users had experienced stigma. Stigma is a huge barrier to people getting treatment.

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There are two forms of stigma, social stigma and self stigma. Social stigma is when someone is judged or shamed by society, whereas self stigma is when a person internally judges and shames themselves.

Social stigma can influence self stigma by making the

person feel bad about their feelings and character.

Self stigma can greatly impact our self-esteem and our self-worth. This can lead to further problems such as depression

or suicidal thoughts.

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Decreasing stigma, or hopefully ending stigma, can be achievable. An increased knowledge of mental health problems and mental disorders in society will help fight stigma formed from a lack of knowledge or lack of understanding. Educating people on these problems and showing them material that explains or shows these conditions can help change people's minds.