Stigma Reduction Strategies

What are some impacts of stigma?

Lower self esteem
Increased psychiatric symptoms
Difficulties with social relationships and social isolation
Reluctance to seek or stay in treatment
Fewer opportunities for work, school, and housing
Inadequate health insurance coverage
 

What can you do to reduce stigma?
From the National Alliance on Mental Health.

• Talk openly about mental health, such as sharing on social media.
• Educate yourself and others by responding to misperceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
• Be conscious of language by reminding people that their words matter.
• Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
• Show compassion for those with mental illness.
• Be honest about treatment by normalizing mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
• Let the media know when they are using stigmatizing language or presenting stories of mental illness in a stigmatizing way.
• Choose empowerment by challenging yourself and others to Move, Talk, and Thrive this October, raising awareness, and money, to end stigma and ensure everyone has access to support.

Key statistics to share with your community
From Stop Stigma Together, compiled from the World Health Organization

• ONE in FIVE U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year
• ONE in TWENTY U.S. adults experiences serious mental illness each year
• ONE in SIX U.S. youth aged 6-17 experiences a mental health disorder each year
• By age FOURTEEN, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins
• Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide
• Worldwide, someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds, and in the US, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people age 10-34
• For every US dollar put into mental healthcare there is a $4 return in improved health and productivity

How to connect with friends who may be in need
It’s always a good time to check on friends and family, and this challenge provides an opportunity to invite them along for healthy, outdoor, physical activity.

Connect with people throughout your challenge:

• Invite a friend on your route today
• Check in on someone to see how they’re doing
• Talk to one new person about mental health every day
• Count how many times you notice stigmatizing language in one day
• Post facts and information about stigma and mental health to your social media account to increase awareness and start conversations
• Take the time to listen to someone who may be living with mental health challenges

Things you can say to a friend or family member who may be living with mental health challenges:

• "Thanks for opening up to me."
• "Is there anything I can do to help?"
• "I'm sorry to hear that. It must be tough."
• "I'm here for you when you need me."
• “I can't imagine what you're going through."
• "People do get better."
• "Can I drive you to an appointment?"
• "How are you feeling today?"
• "I love you."