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Each year, one in four adults find their lives impaired by depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, and eating disorders.
Significantly reducing the quality of our life, mental health disorders require professional treatment if they are to be overcome. However, stigmas surrounding mental health disorders leave a substantial number of men, women, and even children afraid to talk about the way they feel.
Sadly, the stigmas surrounding mental health have contributed to the number of people experiencing suicidal feelings. Stigmas surrounding mental health also give rise to substance addictions, cause relationships to break down, and have increased the number of homeless people on the streets.
As a result, beating the stigma around mental health is vital.
The Stigmas Surrounding Mental Health
Though there are various stigmas surrounding mental health, studies conducted worldwide have found that some of the most common mental health stigmas include:
- People with mental health problems are dangerous and irresponsible
- Those with mental health disorders cause shame to their family
- Individuals who experience mental health disorders have inflicted their problems on themselves
- Mental health problems are a sign of weakness
- Eating disorders only affect women
- Overcoming mental health disorders is easy
- People that have mental health disorders are insane
In addition to the above, many stigmas surrounding mental health stem from an individual’s race and gender.
For example, men face several stigmas as the media constantly reinforces that men should be strong, tough, and emotionless. These stigmas prevent many men from seeking mental health support. Sadly, this has contributed to an increase in suicide rates among men.
Tackling Mental Health Stigmas
Beating the stigma around mental health is not something that will happen overnight. However, together, there are a few ways that we can begin to tackle and alleviate the stigma that prevents millions of people from securing the help they need to enhance their lives.
Below, we have outlined just a few ways to tackle and cope with the stigmas surrounding mental health.
Talk about mental health
Talking openly about mental health can, for various reasons, be difficult. Although an increase in people opening up and voicing how mental health impairs their life has been noted, studies show that only 2 in every 5 people will talk about their various mental health issues or seek help.
However, if we openly talk about mental health, individuals worldwide will come to realise that they are not alone in their struggles. Knowing that others have spoken out about their issues will also influence many people to do the same.
Provide children and young adults with mental health education
Although one in four adults in England will experience mental health problems each year, it is vital to remember that anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder often arise from untreated factors encountered in childhood. Essentially, this means that children who are exposed to stress and traumatic events and do not receive appropriate support are much more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders later in life.
However, with so many stigmas surrounding mental health, children are just as likely to keep their struggles to themselves. Sadly, this has resulted in an increasing amount of children experiencing suicidal thoughts.
For this very reason, in a bid to tackle the stigmas surrounding mental health, mental health education must be provided to children and young adults. In doing so, those under 18 years of age will begin to understand the importance of speaking up if they experience pessimistic thoughts and feelings. They will also be much more likely to seek help later in life too.
Remember that it’s just as important to receive treatment for mental health issues
In England alone, more than 300 million appointments are made to see a doctor each year. Although there has been a surge in the number of people visiting their doctor to discuss their mental health concerns, many remain hesitant about doing so.
However, beating the stigma around mental health also requires us to remember that it’s just as important to receive treatment for mental health issues as obtaining treatment for a physical health problem.
After all, we wouldn’t defer treatment for a physical health problem.
Reach Out For Support
Reaching out for mental health support can be extremely difficult for men, women, and children alike. However, doing so is vital if beating the stigma around mental health is possible.
Although many people will defer treatment and instead attempt to cope with poor mental health and disorders such as anxiety and depression alone, doing so has devastating consequences. Yet, when appropriate support and treatment are sought, living a life free from the burden and stigma of mental health is possible.
Mental Health Treatment
Though not everyone who requires mental health support will need to attend rehab, this is the most effective solution in some instances. Attending rehab provides a safe space to overcome mental health disorders and enables those struggling to take a break from everyday life and focus solely on their health and well-being. Rehab also ensures that the cause of mental health disorders can be distinguished and coping strategies can be developed.
If you or a loved one requires mental health treatment, rehabs like those in our network can provide a wide range of treatments. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- One-to-one therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Bereavement, trauma, and abuse counselling
- Satori therapy
- NAD+ therapy
- Stress management
- Family therapy
- Mediation therapy
Contact Us Today
At Rehab Clinics Group, we have recovery centres located across the United Kingdom. Specialising in providing mental health support, our centres provide quality accommodation and industry-leading treatments, such as psychological therapy and well-being therapy.
Whether you are personally struggling with a mental health disorder or are worried about a loved one, contact us today to find out how we can support you now and in the future.
Whether you call us on 0800 470 0382 or text HELP to 83222, we are here for you every step of the way.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3606947/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-40698-0
https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02937-x
