7 Types of Stigma in Mental Health - Check-in May 9th

Hello everyone 💜

As we have discussed about the importance of destigmatize mental health in previous check-in here (you are welcome to join the discussion if you want) which if I may conclude, destigmatize is important to create hope for those who are suffering in particular and everyone in general. We are also agreed that stigma comes from lack of understanding.

We have started an exercise to cultivate hope in Healthy Living sub community joinhere

Let's dive deeper into 7 Types of Stigma in Mental Health originally published by NAMI

Public Stigma

This happens when the public endorses negative stereotypes and prejudices, resulting in discrimination against people with mental health conditions.

For example, it is a common public stigma that depression means the person suffering is weak.

Self-Stigma and Perceived Stigma

Self-stigma happens when a person with mental health issues or substance use disorder internalizes public stigma.

Perceived stigma is the belief that others have negative views about someone due to their mental health issue.

Label Avoidance

This is when a person chooses not to seek mental health treatment to avoid being assigned a stigmatizing label. Label avoidance is one of the most harmful forms of stigma. And this happens a lot, isn’t it?

Stigma By Association

Stigma by association occurs when the effects of stigma are extended to someone linked to a person with mental health difficulties. This type of stigma is also known as courtesy stigma and associative stigma.

Structural Stigma

Institutional policies or other societal structures that result in decreased opportunities for people with mental illness are structural stigma.

For example, in Lithuania, citizens with long-term mental health problems are excluded from home ownership.

Stigma from Professionals

This takes place any time even a professional in mental health allows stereotypes and prejudices about mental illness to negatively affect a patient’s care.

Quoted from Steven J. Barnes, PhD, “For example, I remember as a student telling one of my professors that I had bipolar disorder. She subsequently began talking to me more slowly and even subtly questioned my ability to complete a graduate degree. In essence, she was endorsing a common stigmatizing misconception: that having a mental illness makes an individual less intelligent or less capable.”

Questions for Mini Discussion:

❍ What is your idea to spread hope? And what could possibly make someone wants to help spread hope?

❍ Which of those stigma have you seen the most in you own social circle?