Quiz:

What do all human beings have?

1. Opinions
2. Attitudes
3. Physical Health
4. Mental Health
5. All of the above

The answer is E. Each one of us has opinions, attitudes, physical health, and mental health. Just like physical health, a person’s mental health can range from good to poor. Why do we react one way when we learn that a friend has a mental illness like depression and another way when we learn that a friend has a physical problem like heart disease or cancer? The fact is, good mental health is essential to overall good physical health. Our physical and mental health are connected.

Most of what we know comes from personal experience and the stories that we’ve heard. We once relied on our families, religious groups, schools, community leaders, and others to help us form our cultural systems and beliefs. Today, the mass media (television, music, movies, magazines, and the Internet) play a big role in shaping our views.

In the media, people with poor mental health are often portrayed as “bad guys,” shown as villains or failures and tagged with terms like “crazy,” “insane,” “loony,” and “nuts.” Such stereotyping often starts with children’s cartoons and is repeated in many TV shows and movies. These harsh stereotypes are hurtful to millions and often lead to stigma, shame, and discrimination.

Many are aware that some individuals are judged unfairly because of their race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or looks. But people may not know that individuals with mental illnesses can face bias in many ways—with housing, employment, health insurance, education, medical treatment, and many other areas.

One way to stop bias from happening is to give people correct information about mental illnesses and the stigma that often comes with them. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed a publication called Before You Label People, Look At Their Contents to help teach people about stigma.

Words Can Be Poison*

Stigma and discrimination can be real, painful, and harmful to the lives of people with mental health problems. Stigma and shame may prevent these people from getting the effective treatment and support they need to lead healthy, normal lives.

Stigma deters people from getting help. At any given time, one in four adults and one in five children have a mental health problem. Early and proper services can lessen symptoms and improve outcomes. Many people don’t seek such services because they don’t want to be viewed as “crazy.”

Stigma and discrimination keep people from getting good jobs and moving forward in the workplace. Some employers are less willing to hire people who have mental illnesses. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), such discrimination is illegal, but unfortunately, it still happens.

Stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence. The vast majority of people who have a mental illness are no more violent than anyone else. However, the average TV viewer sees three people with mental health problems each week, and most of them are portrayed as violent. These faulty images can lead people to fear those who have mental illnesses.

Stigma results in bias and discrimination. Some people try to prevent those who have poor mental health from living in their neighborhoods. Understanding mental health problems often changes their perspective. When people with good mental health interact with people who have poor mental health, both discover that they share similar goals, hopes, and disappointments.

Stigma and discrimination result in inadequate insurance coverage. Many insurance plans do not cover mental health and physical health services equally. When mental illnesses are covered, insurance benefits may be limited or inadequate or not fit the person’s needs.

Words Can Heal*

Take time to help end the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Here are seven steps to help you.

1. Learn more. Many organizations distribute information and sponsor programs about mental health. Several are listed at the end of this article.
2. Insist on accountable media. Sometimes the media do not portray people who have mental illnesses fairly, making stereotypes harder to change. Click here for Challenging Stereotypes: An Action Guide.
3. Obey the regulations in the ADA. Under the ADA, mental illnesses are a disability. Click here for Your Rights Under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
4. Be aware of and be grateful for the contributions to society made by people who have mental illnesses. People who have mental illnesses have much to offer to American life—from the arts to the sciences, from medicine to entertainment to professional sports—including Michelangelo, Mozart, and Lincoln.
5. Treat everyone with the honor and respect we all deserve. People who have poor mental health may include your family, your friends, and your neighbors.
6. Think about the person inside. Avoid labeling people by their diagnosis. Instead of saying, “She’s a schizophrenic,” say, “She has a mental illness.” Never use the label “mentally ill.”

Learn about the many available treatments for mental illnesses that can successfully improve quality of life.

Programs To End Stigma

SAMHSA has undertaken several efforts designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental illnesses, including SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center and SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health.

Many groups, like those listed under Resources, have projects and campaigns to end stigma and improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages. In fact, Mental Health America sets aside the month of May to focus on positive mental health. The 2008 Mental Health Month theme is all about protecting mental health and wellness through social connectedness. This Get Connected theme encourages everyone to investigate the support systems for mental health:

• Get connected to family and friends to feel close and supported.
• Get connected to your community to feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Get connected to professional help to feel better when you’re stressed and are having trouble coping. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may

Many groups have their own events in May and at other times of the year. They offer a range of programs and materials, from speakers’ bureaus to training programs for mental health professionals. Contact them to learn more or get involved.

To learn more about mental health, call SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center at 800-789-CMHS (2647).

Source

* Information for this article was taken from the National Mental Health Information Center’s online publication Before You Label People, Look At Their Contents available at http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/SMA96-3118/default.asp, last referenced 05/01/08.

Resources

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association)

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse