Mental health is a prominent issue that affects millions of people worldwide. In England, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year. Despite how common it is, unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of stigma around mental health that can prevent people from getting the help they need.
Why some people develop mental health problems whilst others don’t is still unknown. There can be several different factors involved in developing mental health problems. Normally, it is a combination of both our biology and environment that feeds into developing a mental health problem, but sometimes there is no obvious cause. There are a variety of experiences that can make it more likely we suffer a period of poor mental health. This includes trauma, abuse neglect, discrimination, social deprivation, social isolation, loss, caring for someone, drug or alcohol use or physical health problems.
People experiencing mental health problems can face issues with stigma and discrimination in different areas of their lives, as some people may have misconceptions of what different diagnoses mean. The negative attitudes and stereotypes of mental illness can come from our society, the media, people you work with and even friends and family. This is one of the many reasons why people find it difficult to ask for help and risk the problem getting worse.
Sometimes the beliefs we hold about ourselves can prevent us from getting help. The decision to get help is not easy, especially as some people hold the harmful belief that asking for help makes them appear weak or incompetent.
The fear of getting a diagnosis or being labelled with a mental illness can make us reluctant to seek treatment but ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. Treatment can offer some relief by working with you to identify problems that interfere with your everyday life and provide techniques and tools to help you manage flare-ups or symptoms.
If you are struggling to make that first step to get professional help, here are a few things you can try to get started.
1. Do your research
Researching what you are experiencing can help you feel more in control of your situation. It can be daunting to start but taking it one step at a time will make it less overwhelming. Research has found that having a lack of knowledge about the features and treatability of different mental health problems can increase the likelihood of avoiding treatment. Remember you don’t need to be an expert, but this can help you feel more empowered to get further help.
2. Start positive conversations
Many people with mental health problems are reluctant to speak about it. This can feel very isolating and make you feel more overwhelmed. Reaching out to people you trust for support can help get you started on recovery. Talking openly about your experiences can help encourage others to talk about theirs. This can help us feel less alone in our experiences, break down negative stereotypes and help start our recovery. Avoiding the topic will only allow the stigma and stress about your situation to grow.
