Burst The Bubble

We’ve let Stigma erect barriers around effective treatment and recovery. It’s time to take those barriers down.

“I am not mad, I don’t need therapy.”

How many times have we heard similar things being said by people around us? All of it boils down to one six lettered word that in today’s time, is one of the major causes of why we several people are not choosing to seek help.

The word is Stigma. According to the Oxford Dictionary, Stigma refers to a set of beliefs and ideas, generally negative, that stem from a prejudice against something. However, it has a much greater role in determining how people live all over the world and has plagued every society that was ever built by Sapiens.

This prejudice can often develop into a stereotype which leads to discrimination and neglect. There has been a long history of stigma associated with the concept of therapy in India and over the world. In fact, the term “mental illness” itself is looked down upon and not given due importance as a medical phenomenon. Because of this stigma, the state of mental healthcare is in shambles, and the persons suffering from it are unable to seek the help they need. This stigma around mental illness and healthcare finds its foundations for various reasons.

Lack of Understanding

There is an unawareness in the minds of a greater portion of the population about what mental illness is and this unawareness has been somewhat normalized. This leads them to concoct definitions of the terms related to mental health and come to extreme conclusions that are usually baseless or stereotypical. Since most of the symptoms of mental illnesses are not tangibly visible, people tend to not give it much significance when compared with physical illness and care.

How is Stigma harming?

The stigma around mental illness can have many detrimental effects on the people suffering from it and on society as a whole.

  • It leads to fewer opportunities for patients, as they are unable to overcome a disorder that is holding them back.

Tackling Stigma

Actively working towards removing this stigma and its adverse effects from society is a difficult task but one that is exceedingly urgent. With rising cases of depression and suicidal tendencies, mental healthcare is a crucial sector to be attended to.

  • Vent It Out: Being vocal about the experience and benefits of therapy can make a huge difference in its perception and awareness. Therapists themselves as well as the educated population can spread more awareness about the need for therapy. Social Media has played a major role in the transformation of how therapy and mental healthcare are perceived, which has led to a reduction of prejudice against mental health in urban areas.

So, if you are someone or know someone who might need help, reach out to a professional and experience how therapy can help you live the life you deserve!

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Amigo connects you with verified mental health care professionals at affordable rates, so you can live the life that you deserve.