The Steps to Improving Mental Health Acceptance 09

It’s tough, its traumatic, it’s taboo. It effects over 4.8 million Australians and 1 in 4 people aged 18-24 every year. But it’s time we address the elephant in the room — mental health and the stigma surrounding it. Stigma is like a dark cloud that hangs over people’s heads, casting judgment, stereotypes, and discrimination. It isolates those who need support the most, making them feel ashamed, misunderstood, and afraid to seek help. Stigma can crush self-esteem, fuel self-doubt, and create a sense of hopelessness. It amplifies the already difficult challenges that individuals with mental health issues face, leading to increased suffering and a reluctance to seek treatment.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, stigma acts as a formidable roadblock to seeking professional help. The fear of being labelled, judged, or ostracised prevents individuals from reaching out for support, leaving them to battle their struggles alone.

To make it simple, stigma affects us all. Whether you are at the receiving end, are the one reenforcing it (whether deliberately or not), or simply hear it and do not challenge what has been said, it has affected you. So here are a few quick steps to help reduce the stigma around mental health.