Many of us feel helpless listening to the news surrounding those who suffer from mental illness or have ended their lives due to mental health issues. But there are powerful steps you can take to make a difference. Below we offer actionable and impactful steps you can take right now to stop the stigma surrounding mental illness and help those in recovery.
Stop Sensationalizing Mental Illness
Patrick Corrigan, psychology professor and principal investigator of the National Consortium for Stigma and Empowerment, discusses the common “sensationalized” stereotypes associated with mental illness in the American Psychological Association (APA) podcast Speaking of Psychology. He states, “Some sobering news is that the meta-analysis and systematic review we did a few years ago are finding that the stigma’s getting worse. And in looking at the data, our best guess is the degree to which dangerousness, violence, and mass murders, especially in the U.S., are connected to serious mental health disorders. Every time there’s a mass shooting, I frequently end up on the radio to respond to the interviewer that people with serious mental illness are not more dangerous, not likely to snap, and not likely to go out and shoot people. That’s a compelling story and keeps the stigma up there.”
So what can you do? There is power in numbers. Let the media know when they are stigmatizing serious mental health disorders through social media or good old-fashioned letters and emails. One mother tells the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “If I watch a program on TV that has any negative comments, storylines, or characters with a mental illness, I write to the broadcasting company. If Facebook has any stories where people make ignorant comments about mental health disorders, then I write back and fill them in on my son’s journey with schizoaffective disorder.”
Donate to Reputable Mental Health Organizations
Below are a few mental health organizations making a difference. To see a more comprehensive list to donate to, visit Psycom.net.
NAMI provides education, advocacy, support, and public awareness so all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
The organization addresses the needs of those with mental illness and promotes overall mental health. MHA has, according to statistics, impacted 31 million people through education programs.
The organization focuses on understanding and preventing suicide through research, mental health education, and advocacy.
According to its website, this nonprofit is “the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.”
Share Your Story
Breaking a stigma can start with your own story. Talk to others about your own mental health journey. And if you do not have one – let those around you discuss their stories openly. Create a safe space for others to share their struggles without judgment. “I fight stigma by saying that I see a therapist and a psychiatrist. Why can people say they have an appointment with their primary care doctor without fear of being judged, but this lack of fear does not apply to mental health professionals?” states Ysabel Garcia to the NAMI.
Get Involved in Mental Health Organizations & Research
According to Mental Health America, some of the best ways to get involved in mental health organizations and create awareness include,
- Volunteering with your local mental health affiliate chapter.
- Joining reputable mental health campaigns such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, and The National Institute of Mental Health.
- Volunteer with a Crisis Test Line.
Participating in research trials, studies, or academic surveys can also be extremely helpful in the battle against mental illness. MentalHealth. gov has a list of clinical trials you can join. Endominance is also involved in mental health research. If interested in joining one of our current studies, please visit our research page.
Spread Positive Messages of Recovery & Hope
Patrick Corrigan discusses the harmful stereotypes associated with mental illness and how to end them in Speaking of Psychology. He explains, “The stereotype about people with serious mental illness is that they are dangerous. And so, the employer’s not going to hire you, or the landlord’s not going to rent to you. You’re to blame for it. You’re incompetent. Those are the stereotypes that emerged in the research.”
Corrigan believes educating the public that mental illness is a brain disorder can help. But he believes that to stop the stereotypes, people need to talk to their peers about their mental health journey and let them know that recovery is possible. Corrigan states, “A person making the most significant impact is the average person with mental health challenges that you sit next to at work or in your faith-based community or your extended family – and the degree to which they come out and tell their stories of recovery.”
