Mental Health and Breaking the Stigma
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at least once throughout their life with 9 out of 10 people being victim to stigma and discrimination. Stigma is commonly defined as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person”. Mental health stigma is a form of social distance that has been observed by the reaction of how the public associate with people based on their mental health problems. The stigma around mental health has always been a tough conversation for people to have, on one hand they are living with their mental health problems while on the other they are fighting through the stereotypes, judgment and discrimination based on their mental illness. Stigma is a negative stereotype and discrimination is the behaviour that results from this negative stereotype.
Many studies have found that the media play a large role in shaping public opinions when it comes to mental health. Individuals with mental health conditions are mostly perceived as unpredictable dangerous criminals, with some stores even selling “Mental health patient” Halloween costumes which has only resulted in people fearing for their own mental state and not reaching out for the appropriate health care due to fears of what other people may think. In 2019 the mental health foundation conducted a study to investigate how social media impacts upon people’s mental health. The study concludes that 1 in 8 adults have experienced suicidal thoughts based on their body image.
Spotting the signs that something is wrong can be very difficult, if you’ve noticed that your friend/loved one:
has lost interest in things they use to love
seemed sad for the last few weeks or more
lacking in motivation and energy
Having emotional outbursts
Having sleep problems
Drastic weight or appetite changes
Have been quiet or withdrawn
Substance abuse
talking about feeling unwanted or worthless
Remember you are not a trained professional and It’s always important that if you are worried about a friend or loved one to always reach out and simply ask them “are you ok?” If they do happen to confide in you, let them talk for 90% of the time! Listen to them carefully, offer reassurance, help identity triggers, then try and offer them some support.
Ógra Shinn Féin have been at the forefront of trying to smash the stigma surrounding mental health. Comrades from across the 32 have engaged in mental health debates, protests, training days and more. It is important that young people like ourselves lead the direction of change. Today there is still a massive stigma surrounding mental health with increasing numbers of young people taking their own lives, the number of life’s lost to suicide in the North sense the good Friday agreement has exceeded the death total of the troubles. We in Ógra Shinn Féin have made it a priority to look out for fellow comrades, friends and loved ones. We are all unapologetic community activists who only wish the best for each other. Unless we can normalise the conversation surrounding issues like self-harm and suicide, we aren’t going to be able to change the stigma surrounding mental health. It’s time that we as comrades make an effort to end this stigma. It’s all about turning a negative into a positive.
“Be the person you needed when you were younger”
Hotlines: health is available 24/7.
Lifeline: 0808 808 8000
Samaritans: 116 123
le Caitlin McCotter