Like opinions, mental health is something we all have. Just as with 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 depression and another way when we learn that a friend has heart disease or cancer? In fact, good mental health is essential to overall good physical health.

Most of what we know, and how we react to things, comes not from personal experience but from the stories that we've heard. We used to rely on our families, religious groups, schools, community leaders, and others to help us form our cultural systems and beliefs. Today, however, the mass media - television, music, movies, and magazines - play a big role in shaping our views.

In the media, people with poor mental health often are portrayed as "bad guys," showing them to be villains or failures and tagging them with terms like "crazy," "insane," "loony," and "nuts." Such labeling often starts with children's cartoons and is repeated in other TV shows and movies. These harsh stereotypes are hurtful to millions and lead to stigma, shame, and discrimination.

Although many are aware that some people are judged unfairly because of their race, religion, culture, or looks, they may not know that people with mental illnesses also can face bias in the same ways - with housing, employment, health insurance, education, medical treatment, and many other areas.

Words Can Be Poison

Stigma and discrimination can be real, painful, and harmful to the lives of people with mental health problems. Stigma may prevent them 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 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 television viewer sees three people with mental health problems each week and most of them are portrayed as violent. These faulty images lead people to fear those who have mental illnesses.

Stigma results in bias and discrimination. Many people try to prevent those who have poor mental health from living in their neighborhoods. Understanding mental health problems often changes that 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 as much of the costs of mental health services as with other illnesses. When mental illnesses are covered, coverage may be limited or inadequate or not fit the person's needs.

Words Can Heal

May is Mental Health Month. 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 does not portray people who have mental illnesses fairly, and this makes stereotypes harder to change.

3. Obey the laws in the ADA. The ADA forbids discrimination against people in all areas of public life. Under the ADA, mental illnesses are a disability.

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 term "mentally ill."

7. 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 The Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma.

Many groups, including those listed below, have projects and campaigns to end stigma. These groups offer a range of programs and materials, from speakers' bureaus to training programs for mental health professionals. To get involved, contact them. To learn more about mental health, call SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center at 800-789-CMHS (2647).

Tags: Mental Health

About the Author

www.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services. Includes links to support groups, information resources, events and articles.