Breaking through the mental health stigma

The words mental health or mental illness can mean many different things to many different people. Although people often use them interchangeably, there is a big difference between the two.

A mental illness is described as disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that are severe enough to affect day-to-day functioning, whereas mental health pertains to our overall mental well-being. Many of us have grown up with the idea that talking about such things in public is not okay and that they should be kept private, so no one knows what you are struggling with, this is called stigma. People who struggle with mental illness or their mental health, are often left feeling embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their struggle.

The truth is that one in five people (over six and half million Canadians) have been affected by a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. If it is not us that has been directly affected by mental illness, most of us know someone who has.

The sad reality is that some people who are struggling with their mental health or suffering a mental illness are afraid to speak up for fear of being judged or treated differently, so instead they suffer in silence. Most people living with a mental illness or who are struggling with their mental health say that living with the stigma around mental health is worse than the illness itself.

Encouraging open dialogue around mental health and mental illness can help dismantle stigma and normalize discussions about these important topics in our everyday interactions. Let's show people who live with a mental illness or who struggle with their mental health that they have nothing to be embarrassed about, and they do not have to be ashamed and hide away from society. The more we can talk openly about these things, the more people will see that it's okay to struggle with their mental health and mental illness and they will feel more comfortable asking for help. The more people talk about mental health awareness and normalize it; the more people can begin to heal and not suffer in silence.

Here are some things you can do to help break the stigma around mental health and get the conversation started:

Share your journey: Speak up about your journey with mental health or mental illness is a great way to let others know that they are not alone. The more people that share their stories, the more people will be encouraged to share their own stories.

Speak up when you see discrimination: If you witness someone experiencing mental health discrimination, don't hesitate to speak out. Taking action in the moment can help prevent such instances from recurring in the future.

Educate yourself and others on mental health and mental illness: You can reach out to any local organization that works in the mental health field. They will have resources you can utilize to educate yourself on the different illnesses and what you can do to support people who live with them. The internet is also a great place with a wide range of resources in mental health literature. Once you have that knowledge, you can pass it along to others and spread the word.

Together, we can come together and break through the stigma around mental health and mental illness and work towards a world that is free of prejudice and discrimination. Together, we can support our most vulnerable and help lift them up so they can feel like they belong. Together, we can make a difference, create change, and get people talking.

Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it.

If you are needing support, you can:

• Contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support @ 250-395-4883. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• You can call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day @ 1-888-353-2273.

• You can call the Suicide Crisis Line at # 9-8-8. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.