Content warning: suicide and abuse
There are certain times when mental illness becomes national news – when a celebrity or someone with a high profile mentions they are suffering, when someone in the public eye dies by suicide, and when there are news of mass shootings. While it is important that people speak up about and normalize their mental health, just like any other dimensions of their health, the fact is that a societal stigma against people with mental illness persists.
Dr. Freidman writes about mental illness stigma and why it needs to be a national priority here – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker .
Stereotypes about people suffering with mental illness persist and can lead to a delay in people seeking help, social isolation, and a higher risk of suicide. Check your understanding about mental illness with this quiz.
You can help combat stigma by speaking up when you hear harmful stereotypes about people with mental illness, and by reaching out to those in your life who may be in need of support.
