Mental illness is as common as physical illness and has both genetic and biological factors behind it. Trauma and overwhelming stress are the two main causes of developing mental illness. That said, environmental injustice and violence also lead to mental health conditions. And at times the reasons might even remain unknown. However, psychiatrists are now equipped with highly advanced treatments for effectively addressing mental health issues.
The strange thing about mental illness is the stigma associated with it. This stigma and prejudice lead to discrimination, hopelessness and shame which is why there is a general tendency to avoid reporting the condition and seeking help. Fact is that mental health is part of our overall health and wellness. The more we talk about it as part of our general health, the more the stigma will be reduced.
It is true that constant drives and campaigns have raised awareness on mental illness to a great extent. However, there is still a long way to go to make mental health totally stigma free.
In this blog we will discuss seven ways to reduce mental health stigma –
1. Educate yourself and your children about mental health
Access to verified information about mental health disorders is extremely important. This includes sharing basic facts like the symptoms of depression or anxiety. What is also necessary is knowledge and usage of correct terminologies.
In fact, it is time parents take efforts to dispel myths about mental health among children. Remember! Mental health disorder is treatable. The moment we accept this, we will start feeling more hopeful about seeking help and counselling.
If you are in Delhi and are experiencing mental health disorder, book an appointment with the best psychiatrist in Delhi, today. You can consult one of our psychiatrists on DocGenie for authentic treatment.
2. Seek treatment
It is time we change our attitude and prioritise our mental health and wellbeing. Remember not seeking timely help can aggravate your mental conditions, making them complex and severe. Shed inhibitions and opt for help from a mental health expert at the earliest.
Treatment is crucial for detecting symptoms and cure. Also as a family member of a mentally ill individual you will need to be extremely supportive, kind and gentle. You will also need to constantly encourage him/her to get help.
The good news is, today you can go for psychiatrist online consultation from the comfort of your home. If you are in Delhi, consult the best psychiatrist in Delhi for early treatment and cure. You just need to book a session on an online healthcare platform to consult a psychiatrist online. Highly skilled psychiatrists are now associated with DocGenie to provide online psychiatric consultation.
3. Seeking help is imperative
There is a wrong narrative in our society that says mental illness is a sign of weakness and one should be able to control it. These perceptions make the ones suffering from the condition hide their symptoms. But in reality, seeking help, building awareness, being kind, and finding support from others with mental health issues help to attain self-esteem, and overcome stigma. Education and sharing will help you accept the condition, as you will come to know that you are not alone.
Also read: Online Psychiatrists in Delhi – Take Care of Your Mental Health
4. Choose empowerment
Empowerment is the most effective way to fight mental health stigma. Own your life and make informed choices about your mental health in an empowered way. Do not let others decide how to see yourself as an individual or how to feel about yourself.
One of the best choices you can make for yourself is to consult a mental health doctor. If you are a resident of the capital city and have symptoms of mental health disorder, book a session with an experienced psychiatrist in New Delhi, today.
5. Be honest about treatment
Be open about getting treated for your mental health issues. It is one of the strongest and most hopeful tools in removing stigma. Go ahead and tell others that you are seeing a therapist or a psychiatrist. If we can say we have an appointment with our general physician without being judged, why can we not do so about visiting a mental health professional?
Delhi residents can book a session on DecGenie with a highly skilled and experienced psychiatrist in New Delhi for early diagnosis and cure.
6. Let the media know incidents of stigmatising
Whenever you see any incident of stigmatising an individual with mental health issues, speak up! You can use social media for making such stories known among millions. Also if you find someone making uninformed comments about mental health, comment back.
What is also a great way to fight mental health stigma is to share the messages of recovery. Stories change negative perceptions like nothing else can. If you have just recovered from a mental health disorder, share how you overcame the condition. These messages can potentially remove negative perceptions and establish that anyone can experience a mental health disorder and recover.
7. Join a support group
Isolating yourself when afflicted with mental health issues is a direly wrong step. If you do not disclose your struggles with mental health, you won’t get any help. A lot of local and national support groups now exist that offer truly effective programs and resources to help you deal with the condition. Such groups also educate the public about mental illnesses to help reduce stigma and move ahead in the direction of empowerment and healing.
Also read: Tips to Manage Your Mental Health After Recovering from Covid-19
DocGenie is an online telemedicine platform that provides you with quality healthcare from the comfort of your own space. On DocGenie, you can book an online consultation with highly qualified doctors as well as book lab tests for home collection.