In the 1940s, it was cancer. In the ’80s, it was HIV.
Today, the condition battling pervasive social stigma is mental illness.
Unfortunately, this stigma prevents millions of Americans from seeking treatment due to misconceptions and shame. However, there is a growing movement in psychiatry to confront this issue head-on and remove barriers to treatment.
Mental illness, much like cancer 75 years ago, is often seen as scary and unpredictable. Due to its mysterious nature, people tend to keep their distance.
Stephen Hinshaw, a psychology expert, emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the prevalence and treatability of mental illness, while also advocating for policy changes.
One significant change is shifting the approach to treatment through the lens of neuroscience, treating mental illness as a biological condition that interacts with contextual factors, rather than solely a social issue.
The impact of stigmatization is far-reaching in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly one in five adults (43.8 million) was living with a mental illness in 2014. Shockingly, the rate among youth is just as alarming, with one in five individuals aged 13 to 18 experiencing a serious mental disorder at some point in their lives.
Roopa Grewal, an Indian-American advocate for mental health, shares her journey of struggling with mental illness.
Despite recognizing something was wrong from a young age, societal stigma within the South Asian culture prevented her from receiving appropriate attention until later in life.
It took years to reach a proper diagnosis and receive treatment, but today, she successfully manages her borderline personality disorder with the right medication and therapy.
One of the challenges individuals face is self-stigma, where they internalize societal stereotypes and attribute them to themselves. High levels of self-stigma often lead to individuals avoiding or dropping out of treatment.
This creates a vicious cycle where the symptoms and impairments of mental illness go unaddressed.
Adding to the problem is social distance, where members of society rate their willingness to interact with those experiencing mental illness. Despite increased knowledge about mental health, social distance has either remained stagnant or worsened over the past few decades.
People tend to keep their distance from those with mental illness more than any other group in society, partly influenced by media focus on acts of violence linked with mental illness.
However, it’s crucial to note that individuals with mental illness are no more likely to exhibit aggression than others, although they are more likely to be victimized by violence.
The shortage of mental health services further exacerbates the stigma. While millions more Americans now have mental health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, the number of psychiatrists has not grown proportionally.
According to a report, only 44 percent of Californians’ mental health care needs were being met by available professionals in 2014. This shortage, combined with a complex and fragmented mental health system, leaves many individuals living untreated or undertreated.
Experts reveal that while half of adults with mental illnesses receive treatment, less than half of those individuals receive evidence-based treatments that are proven to be effective. This highlights the pressing need for improved access to mental health care in the United States.
Breaking free from the chains of stigma surrounding mental health is essential. It begins with education, understanding, and empathy.
By raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and increasing access to evidence-based treatments, we can create a society that supports and embraces individuals with mental illnesses.
Together, we can dismantle the barriers and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
