Mental Health Stigma
“Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes people may hold toward those who experience mental health conditions.”
-Center for Disease Control & Prevention
“Reducing stigma and discrimination in mental health can help people feel more accepted in their communities, more capable at work and more optimistic about the future. Stigma reduction can benefit families, societies and economies. It can encourage people to get help to recover, and can reduce social exclusion and isolation. Lessening stigma can also improve access to physical health care, reducing premature mortality.”
-World Health Organization.
Language Matters!
When working toward suicide prevention, language matters! Firstly, this is to help create shared language. This means that when talking about mental health challenges, we are using the same words to convey the same idea and eliminate confusion. Additionally, being mindful of language reduces stigma! By using the appropriate terminology, we can ensure that our words are not perpetuating mental health when in reality, mental health ups and downs are normal! Here are some considerations when using language about suicidality or mental health.
Person first language: Focus on the person, not the challenge:
“Suicidal person” “Person experiencing suicidal ideation”
“They’re bipolar” “A person with Bipolar Disorder”
*Keep in mind that each person may have their individual preferences and this is not universal. If you are unsure, ask!
Emphasis on recovery:
Recovery is about a person gaining control of their identity and life, having hope for their life, and living a life that has meaning
It is NOT about “being cured” or “being normal” again
Suicidality is NOT a crime:
When we say the words “commit suicide” it hints that something illegal has been done. For this reason we say “die by suicide” or suicide loss”
Suicide attempts are never “unsuccessful” or “successful” We can use words like “suicide attempt survivor”
Humor:
Humor is a very healthy coping mechanism. We often use it to talk about hard or uncomfortable topics, feelings, and experiences. That is normal! Just be sure that your use of humor is not contributing to stigma.
Other ways to reduce stigma:
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TALK
By talking openly about mental health, we contribute the normalcy of taking care our our mental wellness. Normalize resource utilization, check in on neighbors, and recognize that mental health IS health.
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Facts vs Myths
Learn the myths associated with the stigma of mental health. By understanding the facts, you can contribute to the notion that recover IS possible.
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Be Kind
Show compassion and empathy for everyone, including those with mental health issues and/or conditions. Offer support and encouragement. Remember that people are more than their diagnosis.
Click the following links to learn more about stigma reduction:
Mosaic toolkit to end stigma and discrimination in mental health
-World Health Organization (European Region)
StigmaFree
-National Alliance on Mental Illness
Strategies to Reduce Mental Illness Stigma: Perspectives of People with Lived Experience and Caregivers
-National Institute of Health
