Monday 16 May 2016

Mental Health Awareness week: Stop the Stigma

Hello lovelies,
               This week is mental health awareness week and that’s exactly what I want to do, raise awareness!




Just over 2 weeks ago my drama class did our practical exam based on the stigma surrounding mental health. Whilst it was an exam, we still managed to raise awareness and educate our audiences on mental health. It also got me thinking just how important mental health is and how anyone can be affected by it, no matter how big or small.




Facts about mental health

  • 1 in 4 are affected by a mental health problem in any given year
  • 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem
  • 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination
  • 90% of those who commit suicide experienced mental distress


Even in today’s society mental health is a “taboo” subject, yet it’s so important to speak up about it. People face a lot of social stigma and that shouldn't be the case. I believe the majority of stigma/ discrimination comes from a lack of education and understanding. With people not fully understanding mental health, people often misjudge someone who has a mental illness.

Another major reason for the stigma is unlike a physical injury, you cannot see a mental health problem. BUT REMEMBER just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean that someone isn’t suffering.



More and more people are diagnosed with mental health problems and there are different ones as well, yet they don’t often receive the help they need and deserve. Even worse, people are misdiagnosed or not even diagnosed at all.

From what I’ve learnt doctors need more training on how to help people with mental health problems. If people aren’t receiving the help they deserve then its only adding to the problem.

No one chooses to have a mental health illness, there can be multiply triggers for mental health problems. No one deserves to be judge. There shouldn't be all this stigma surrounding mental health, people with a mental health problem should receive support that they're going well and be helped get back on track. 

I hope I've managed to educate you on mental health and the stigma people face.



2 comments:

A Beautiful Chaos said...

Yes!!!! I agree with everything you said right here! Raising awareness of mental illness is paramount. Lots of people know of mental health problems but they just make generalised stereotypes about them, things that are definitely not true! Thank you for sharing this post, I plan on doing one soon to continue to spread awareness xx

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Jhon mac said...

I’m really amazed with your posting skills as well as with the layout on your blog site. Very informative and well written post! Quite interesting and nice topic chosen for the post Nice Post keep it up.
suicide awareness week