Introduction to Mental Health Stigma
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of any mental illness (AMI) for U.S. people in 2022 was 23.1% of the U.S. adult population. Using data collected from 2001-2004, the prevalence of any mental disorder for U.S. adolescents (ages 13-18) was 49.5%. These figures reveal that mental illness is a significant part of our U.S. population. As such, why is it sometimes difficult for us to talk about the topic of "mental health?"
One of these reasons is because of mental health stigmas. Stigmas can refer to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that we assign to people experiencing a mental health challenge. Rather than using person-first language, we sometimes hear people talk about "schizophrenics, autistic persons, or people who are bipolar." Person-first language would refer to "a person experiencing schizophrenia, a person with autism, or a person with bipolar disorder." The key differentiation is that person-first language describes what a person "has" instead of referring to what the person "is" (National Institutes of Health).
Another reason why it may be difficult for some to talk about mental health is due to fear. This feeling can be especially concerning in small rural communities where everyone knows everyone and rumors can spread like wildfire. Opening up and talking about a close family member (or yourself) who has a mental health challenge can be misused by others through gossip.
Unfortunately, some people may view mental health challenges as an opportunity to put a "label" on a person. "That person is a mental case." Or, "That person is bipolar." These labels are not only harmful, but they continue the spread of mental health stigmatization in our communities.
Addressing Stigma through Empathy, Acceptance, and Compassion
To counter mental health stigma, we have an opportunity and responsibility to practice empathy, acceptance, and compassion with each other. This becomes especially important when supporting a person facing a mental health challenge. When we speak of the term empathy, we are not describing sympathy. Whereas empathy involves being able to feel what others are feeling, sympathy refers to feeling sorry for another person. Empathetic listening seeks to understand the pain that someone is experiencing and trying to imagine oneself in a similar situation.
When referring to acceptance, we can refer to the validation and acknowledgment that someone is experiencing a mental health challenge. When we accept, we withhold judgment and criticism. We recognize that we cannot fully comprehend or know what the other person is going through but we can listen empathetically.
Last, when referring to compassion, we can define it as, "a genuine concern for the sufferings of others and being motivated to enhance their well-being" (Sengupta and Saxena, 2024). Whereas empathy is recognizing and trying to feel what others are feeling, compassion is focused on mitigating another person's pain. The emphasis with compassion is on action.
How to Listen Empathetically
In the Mental Health First Aid training, participants learn about the ALGEE action plan. This acronym refers to these five actions: 1) Assess for risk of suicide and self-harm, 2) Listen non-judgmentally, 3) Give reassurance and information, 4) Encourage appropriate professional help, and 5) Encourage self-help and other support strategies. When we listen non-judgmentally, we refrain from offering advice or unsolicited guidance. We decide to pause our personal biases so we can foster a sense of curiosity and concern about what the other person is saying and feeling. Listening empathetically requires that we focus on what others are saying and demonstrating with their body language. Here are some ways to listen empathetically:
- Put away your cell phone so you can give the other person your full attention
- Be patient and fully present
- Don't interrupt
- Paraphrase what the other person says
- Validate their feelings
- Ask open-ended questions
- Tell them you care about them
Ways to Show Compassion
As we seek to understand and feel what someone is going through, we have an opportunity to respond with compassion. As we learned earlier, compassion is the motivation to mitigate another person's pain. One way to show compassion is to validate a person's feelings and actively listen.
Rather than offering "advice," we may gently ask if we can connect them with professional help. For example, when listening to a person experiencing a mental health challenge, there are many professionals we can gently recommend, such as:
- School counselors
- Primary doctors
- Licensed therapists
- Psychologists
- Support Groups
Being present with another person who is going through a challenge is an important way for us to show compassion. Letting them know that "I'm here for you" can mean the world to someone experiencing a mental health challenge. By showing our support, we are letting them know that they matter to us.
Self-Care for Supporters
As we care for others who are experiencing a mental health challenge, we may feel "drained." Helping others through a difficult time can deplete our own mental and emotional resources. In essence, our "tank" may be depleted and in need of refueling. One way to refuel ourselves is through the practice of self-care. In my previous blog post, I write that the World Health Organization defines self-care as "the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker."
There are numerous self-care strategies, such as:
- Physical activity
- Eating and drinking healthy
- Prioritizing quality sleep
- Setting boundaries
- Prioritizing positive relationships
Conclusion
Supporting people who are experiencing a mental health challenge is an important part of our normal lives. Through seeking to reduce mental health stigma, we can play an important role in normalizing discussions about mental and emotional wellbeing. Specifically, acceptance, empathy, and compassion can help others who are experiencing a mental health challenge. As we care for others, we also need to care for ourselves through practicing self-care. In doing so, we create a more resilient community.
References
Deek, H., Hamilton, S., Brown, N., Inglis, S. C., Digiacomo, M., Newton, P. J., ... & FAMILY Project Investigators. (2016). Family‐centred approaches to healthcare interventions in chronic diseases in adults: a quantitative systematic review. Journal of advanced nursing, 72(5), 968-979. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12885
Merkuri, S. L., Kamberi, A. D. F., & Gabrani, P. J. (2023). Self-care for health and wellbeing–a literature review. Medicus, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.58944/qltp2509
Sengupta, P., & Saxena, P. (2024). The art of compassion in mental healthcare for all: back to the basics. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 46(1), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176231158126