Navigating Stigma
What is Stigma?
The negatively held beliefs by individuals about a person or specific group of people.
What Contributes to Stigma?
Stigma results from the actions of other people. Stereotyping, labeling, and prejudice can all lead to the negative consequences of stigmatization. Stereotyping is the application of characteristics to an entire group of people. Labeling can be harmful in attaching a single identifying characteristic to someone and prejudice is a biased opinion of someone or a group of people and results in discrimination. All of these contribute to the beliefs people hold of others and the idea of separating “us” from “them”. Take action if you see or hear anyone taking part in these actions, no matter how small something may seem.
Stigma is Complicated
Stigma does not only come from the actions of one person to another. Stigma can come from broad attitudes held by the general public, as well as systemic policies and rules in society that restrict specific people. Stigma can be relational where those close to a stigmatized individual also get stigmatized or it can be internal when a stigmatized person or group of people believe the stereotypes about themselves.
Tip 1: Reflect on your own attitudes
You may have some attitudes and beliefs that you do not recognize immediately. Sometimes we hold unconscious beliefs that rarely come to the surface, but when they do, it is important to recognize and acknowledge them.
Tip 2: Recognize ways that you may try and avoid stigma
Feeling nervous about the possibility of being stigmatized for something such as your mental health is a valid feeling. You may normalize health problems you have recently been having or generally avoid talking at all about what you are going through. If you can recognize these ways of managing your own stigma, you can start to address them and look at our third tip of sharing with someone you trust!
Tip 3: Begin by sharing with someone you trust
Sharing personal feelings about yourself can be a really hard thing to do, but it can also help so much when you do share. Look to those you have shared with and trusted before, and now continue to let them know more about you!
Tip 4: Be inclusive in all areas of your life
Do not exclude anyone based on things that they can not change about themselves. Look into your personal, work, and online lives and keep an eye open for things such as noninclusive language, stereotyping, or discrimination.
Tip 5: Avoid seeing yourself or others as their mental illness
Learn about the people you surround yourself with. Learn about yourself and what you enjoy doing, rather than letting your mental illness stand in the way of the person that you are. You are many things besides your struggle.
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