Mental Health Month Means Fighting Harmful Stigma
May is Mental Health Month when we can reduce harmful stigma. Indeed, it is a time to be supportive of people struggling with mental health issues. Led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)and major Federal agencies, Mental Health Month brings these struggles to the forefront of national awareness. As one of the largest nonprofit providers of mental health services in California, Tarzana Treatment Centers honors and marks this month every year.
As the COVID-19 pandemic ends, more people will need help than ever before. By reducing the stigma of mental illness, Mental Health Month changes the conversation. Rather than being in a negative spotlight, patients access support and quality mental health. By reducing stigma, our society removes the barriers to such treatment.
Mental Health Month Established in 1949
According to Youth.org, a U.S. government website for supporting youth programs, “Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.” Started by Mental Health America (MHA), which was then known as the National Association for Mental Health, Mental Health Month is no longer a footnote. Today, it is an active effort to broaden people’s understanding and expand their horizons.
Thus, a major goal of Mental Health Month is to raise awareness of the trauma of mental illness. By recognizing itsimpactonphysical, emotional, and mental well-being, the damage being done becomes part of the conversation. Indeed, the challenges ofchildren, families, and communities are taken into consideration.
Moreover, Mental Health Month also is a reminder for psychotherapists and other mental health professionals to keep up with the maintenance of their mental health. Below, please find thirty-day mental health challenge calendar that some of the clinicians at Tarzana Treatment Centers use as a reminder and support tool.
NAMI Reduces Stigma During Mental Health Month
During Mental Health Month, NAMI helps to reduce stigma by providing a guidebook on their website. Hence, NAMI outline nine ways to move beyond past negativity. Making a lot of sense by supplying easy-to-use tools and strategies, the nine ways are as follows:
- Talk Openly About Mental Health
- Educate Yourself and Others
- Be Conscious of Language
- Encourage Equality Between Physical and Mental Illness
- Show Compassion for Those with Mental Illness
- Choose Empowerment Over Shame
- Be Honest About Treatment
- Let The Media Know When They are Being Stigmatizing
- Do Not Harbor Self-Stigma
By following this simple playbook, the stigma against mental health challenges can be reduced. For example, at Tarzana Treatment Centers, we no longer use the term “mental illness” to describe the patients we are treating. Instead, we talk about mental health issues and mental health challenges. We do not stigmatize by applying absolute labels.
Beyond the Individual is the Reduction of CulturalStigma
Without a doubt, the proponents of Mental Health Month know they are fighting a tough battle. After all, the representation of mental health in our popular culture is exploitive. Hence, how many times do we see “crazy people” fueling thrillers, action movies, and horror flicks? How often are “crazy people” used as the butt of jokes in comedies and commercials?
Thus, it is time during the month of May and beyond to take a stand.Without question, Mental Health Month gives all of us a valuable opportunity to celebrate the efforts being made to reduce stigma and help people in need. According to John Hopkins Medicine, 26% (one out of every four people) of the population experiences a mental health issue during any given year. However, after COVID-19, that number should be quite a bit higher.
Given the commonality, the stigma makes no sense whatsoever. Indeed, Tarzana Treatment Centers believes in integrated healthcare that focuses on healing the whole person. Thus, we treat our patients with respect and decency while offering them the latest pharmaceutical and behavioral solutions to their challenges. Isn’t that the very essence ofMental Health Month?