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STIGMA AND MENTAL HEALTH.
Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community as defined by (World Health Organization)
Stigma is Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of your mental illness. Discrimination is when someone treats you in a negative way because of your mental illness.
There are two types of stigma: –
- Self-stigma
- Public stigma
CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESSES
There are many different causes of mental illnesses:
- Irrational beliefs
- Irrational thoughts
- High level of dependency
- Sense of insecurity
- Unfinished business
- Traumatic experiences
- Loss
- Terminal illnesses
- Accident and disasters
- Genetic predisposition
Effects of stigma on a personal level
- Low self esteem
- Drug addiction
- Isolation
- Unemployment due to discrimination.
HOW TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
- Seek help
- Socialize with others do not isolate yourself
- Seek for support systems for e.g. support groups.
- Speak out against stigma
- Focus on positives
- Debunk the myths
