Embracing people with mental health challenges
Mental health stigma does not only directly impact those who suffer from mental illness, but it also has an impact on those who support them, often family members. Lack of knowledge or fear is a common cause of stigma. Regrettably, negative attitudes, such as internalized shame, can be adopted by those who suffer from mental illness.
To truly break down the barriers of mental health stigma, we carry a human obligation and a powerful chance to embrace one another with genuine empathy, unwavering acceptance, and heartfelt compassion so no one feels alone in their struggles.
Participation questions:
- How badly is mental health stigma sufficiently addressed where you live?
- If you are living with a mental health challenge, do you feel you’re supported enough, or do you experience stigma because of your illness?
- How has 7 Cups helped you cope with your mental health challenges?
Helpful Videos:
Breaking the Stigma and Shame of Mental Illness
Overcoming the stigma around mental illness
Helpful Resources:
Building Empathy, Acceptance, and Compassion for People Experiencing A Mental Health Challenge
Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness
Seeking Help
Mental stress can cause us not to be able to see the good things in life and lead to excessive rumination or worries which can result in serious health problems. If you have serious, long-term problems with negative thinking and feeling depressed, see your doctor or talk to a therapist if they are related to any mental challenges.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation.
https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
@amiablePeace77
How badly is mental health stigma sufficiently addressed where you live? No one talks about it so I do not talk about it and not sure but I imagine it is present.
@soulsings
Mental health is often seen as a difficult topic, and people would rather not talk about it even if it's present where one lives; the same here where I live. I second your feelings about 7cups; volunteering here helped me a lot too.
@amiablePeace77 thanks for understanding.
@amiablePeace77
7Cups has given me a place to say what is on my mind, talk to my listener, and talk in the sharing circle when I had no one else to talk to. It helps me immensely.
@purpleTree4652
Just talking about what's on your mind can already clear the picture. Glad you find the help you need here on the site!
@amiablePeace77
1. Its addressed some, but on a surface level. All thats said is "talk to someone, reach out, and call 988 if its real bad". People are very undereducated on specific issues
2. I am afraid to show my scars because of how badly people have reacted, including adults, in the past. Im nervous to even tell friends at school because its a touchy subject
3. 7cups is a space where I am able to talk freely about my experiences and get help for them
@treefrog1234
Nobody should have to carry a heavy burden alone! I'm glad you joined the site and hope you will find the support you need here.
@amiablePeace77
Where I live it's openly discussed which is good 💚
But there is not enough support, or funding and when people need help right now, they are deferred and sometimes things progress too far, before they get the help they need 🥺
@Amanda84
Support can become an issue when funding is low, and often it affects those who can't afford help on their own. I am very glad 7cups exists and offers free support and therapy at a lower cost.
@amiablePeace77
How badly is mental health stigma sufficiently addressed where you live?
Moderately.
If you are living with a mental health challenge, do you feel you’re supported enough, or do you experience stigma because of your illness?
I'm not diagnosed with any mental health challenge. If I was, I think part of it would be stigmatized and labelled falsely.
How has 7 Cups helped you cope with your mental health challenges?
7 Cups has helped me heal my chaotic headspace through helping others. I know that I'm not alone in my suffering.
@trueconfidant123
The world still has a long way to go to change the view about mental health issues, but there is hope in my opinion. More and more information is spread so people can learn more about what it really means to suffer from a mental illness.
By volunteering here, 7cups has helped me too.
@amiablePeace77 you're right!
@amiablePeace77
I'm at a bit of a cross roads at the moment, initially finding 7 Cups felt like I'd found my tribe where I could talk freely and openly looking for understanding, support and guidance but equally soon felt that I could be helping others in return.
I've taken a step back as I was finding I was craving the interactions more and constantly being tempted to sign in for increasingly longer period of times which was having a negative effect on trying to be more mindful. I'm being a bit more selective on responding to posts, being careful not to subscribe to threads to reduce notifications to hopefully find a better balance.
@RunningMachine
It seems you're doing well in taking care of yourself. Everything in balance!
@amiablePeace77
- How badly is mental health stigma sufficiently addressed where you live?
- If you are living with a mental health challenge, do you feel you’re supported enough, or do you experience stigma because of your illness?
- How has 7 Cups helped you cope with your mental health challenges?
It’s allowed me to take my mind off my own problems and distract myself with a good, fun, productive activity
@akunknown
It's good that you keep on going to your weekly therapy sessions, and I hope coming here will help to make the gap of lacking support somewhat smaller.