When it comes to mental health issues people often refuse seeking help. This is because of the internalized stigma which comes from the feeling that they are a burden for others.

The presence of mental health problems should not be a reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed, but these feelings appear when the individual with a problem is being stigmatized and discriminated which automatically leads to being called  “different”.

A healthy and fulfilling lifestyle is a right that every person have and people who make others feel worthless need to be held responsible.

 

What is internalized stigma?

Internalized stigma more often than not comes from already present prejudice and attitudes.

Such stigma is capable of making a person believe that he/she is unable and incapable of finding and holding down a job or continuing an education which leads to frustration, anger, low self esteem and lack of confidence for the future. As a result, many are willing to give up on their goals and ambitions.

 

What is prejudice?

It is the forming an opinion before fully understanding of the necessary facts.

Prejudice could provoke fear or anger towards stigmatized people. Preconceived notions reinforce the negative stereotypes and could have a strong impact on an individual with mental health issues – it would make such a person feel even worse about him/her self.

Setting stereotypes on certain people can also have an unpleasant effect on their recovery. The power and influence of words and actions must be realized in time and all attempts at reprehensible behavior and prejudice must be stopped.

 

What is discrimination?

Approaching a person in a less positive or inappropriate way, due to the presence of a mental problem. An example of this would be an employer’s refusal to schedule an interview because the person shared that he or she had a mental problem.

When one encounters such a thing, one must know that one’s human rights have been violated. This behavior must stop, and if enough publicity is given to this topic, people’s attitudes and lives could change radically.