Recieve a call from our psychologists in the next 30 mins to understand your treatment options better
Recieve a call from our psychologists in the next 30 mins to understand your treatment options better
03 July,2018 | Reading Time: 3 minutes
In most cultures, mental health barely has any significance to one’s day-to-day life. In Indian families, if one has the privilege to be in middle socio-economic classes then there is a mention at least, which is lacking in the lower strata. Raise your hand if your parents don’t “believe” in therapy, and that one needs to get over whatever issues they have naturally, or by sheer will alone. There is an unrealistic expectation to neglect mental health, almost as if it is a form of weakness. If you break your foot, you go to a doctor, don’t you? So why should mental illness and health not be treated seriously? How did we come to this state of stigma, and what can we do about it?
Our mental health is something that encompasses our social, emotional, and psychological well-being. It is present in the way we think, express, feel and cope in life. Stigma, in most cases, is a negative stereotype that occurs when you view something in a negative light because of preconceived notions about it. These notions are against mental health and people who acknowledge it. These notions are more often than not based on a lack of knowledge and misdirected knowledge at best, which is usually a leading cause of discrimination. There are passing comments that are made towards individuals who express their struggles with mental health, which is never the case with physical ailments. There could be a negative attitude towards you because they think you are unstable because you went to a shrink for treating your depression. A history of mental health stigma could itself produce mental health issues within people.
Mental health and taking care of it are essential because we need to be able to cope with the stresses that life throws at us. It can affect (and in most cases does affect)
In most cases, it is the same as the cause for any kind of preconceived prejudice- ignorance, and fear. We fear what we don’t know, or understand, thereby becoming judgemental towards it. There is a sense of uncertainty associated with it as well, which never does anyone any good. Mental health and illness have a certain sense of unpredictability attached to it, which is also a large cause of the stigma.
These are the stigmas that we at Cadabam’s work to clear- as well as provide help for these cases.
Judgment from people most usually stems from a lack of understanding- we tend to be critical of whatever we don’t understand. Accept yourself, get the help you need, encourage others to do the same, and speak out about the injustices that go around you. Seek support and help others to educate themselves, this goes a long way in our country’s struggle against mental health.
FAQ
Ans. Like most physical health disorders, mental health disorders too need treatment and professional assistance. However, most people with mental illness refuse or avoid seeking treatment due to the stigma of mental illness that is prevalent around us. Mental health stigma or discrimination is when a person is treated differently due to a history of mental illness. This could be in their academic life, professional life or even within their family & friends.
Ans. Mental health disorders are issues that affect a person's psychological well-being. Mental health conditions include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and more.