We Need to Break the Stigma on Mental Health!
I used to be so ashamed and wary of admitting that I go to therapy or have taken prescribed medication in the past, but why was this the case? The society we live in tends to portray people who need help with their mental wellbeing as social rejects or asking for attention. The stigma is at large about even mentioning mental health, let alone receive professional help and taking medication to better ones mental wellbeing.
Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing. However, through societies standards and the different media representation, we are often put in labelled jars.
The media has also not helped reduce the stigma and often depicts mental health in extreme and offensive ways. The ways in which the media contribute to mental illness stigma is by portraying people who suffer from psychological conditions in extreme, misleading, and comical ways. Planting unrealistic perceptions in people’s minds. Such famous movies which got it all wrong include: Silver linings playbook (2012) and A beautiful mind (2001).
When speaking about mental health, people tend to go on both extremes by either belittling the person’s situation and telling them they are ‘faking it’ or going to the other extreme to shun them out of society. Qoutes which are often cited include: ‘you should try some exercise’, ‘get some fresh air’, ‘you are crazy’ and the popular ‘Psycho’.
I like to be upfront about seeking help through therapy, but it has not been the first time (including myself) where some people get offended that I even suggested it. I strongly believe that no matter how small a problem may seem, we all need that extra support system for our mental wellbeing. There is nothing wrong with taking care of your mental wellbeing and seeking professional help. On the contrary, when people tell me they go to therapy or are thinking of starting therapy, I fully support them and encourage them to do so.
Mental Health activism is still very new but is being spoken about more and more every day. Unfortunately, due to the poor representation and lack of discussion from a young age, there are still many misconceptions regarding safeguarding one’s mental wellbeing and therapy. I have noticed that many parents feel reluctant to send their children and teenagers to therapy, as It is ‘not needed’ or that their child is just going through a phase of being a teenager.
You do not need to be struggling or be open about the challenges you face as that is all up to you, but stand with me and show your support that mental health matters and that the stigma needs to end now.
Lets Talk About Therapy The Same Way We Talk About Going To the Gym — Unknown
