Mental health stigma refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that people hold about those who live with mental illness. Stigma can take many forms, including stereotypes, discrimination, prejudice, and fear. Stigma can be based on various factors, such as the type of mental illness, the severity of the symptoms, the gender, race, or cultural background of the individual. Stigma can also be internalized, meaning that individuals with mental illness may adopt negative attitudes and beliefs about themselves.

Discrimination, on the other hand, refers to the unfair treatment that people with mental illness often face. Discrimination can take many forms, such as unequal access to healthcare, housing, education, employment, and social services. Discrimination can also lead to social isolation, exclusion, and violence.

The effects of mental health stigma and discrimination can be severe and long-lasting. Stigma and discrimination can prevent individuals from seeking help for mental illness, delay diagnosis and treatment, and interfere with recovery. Stigma and discrimination can also exacerbate the symptoms of mental illness, increase the risk of suicide, and negatively affect the quality of life of those who live with mental illness.

Stigma and discrimination can be rooted in many factors, including cultural beliefs, historical events, media representation, and lack of knowledge and education about mental illness. For example, mental illness is often seen as a sign of weakness, leading to shame and secrecy. In some cultures, mental illness is seen as a family problem, and seeking outside help may be discouraged. Historical events, such as the institutionalization of people with mental illness and the eugenics movement, have also contributed to the negative perception of mental illness.

Popular media has played a significant role in stigmatizing mental health by perpetuating negative stereotypes, sensationalizing mental health issues, and promoting misinformation about mental illness. The media often sensationalizes incidents where individuals with mental illness are involved in violent crimes, without providing context or recognizing that such incidents are rare. Many media accounts use derogatory terms or stigmatizing language when referring to mental illness, such as “crazy,” “psycho,” or “lunatic.” This type of language reinforces negative stereotypes and can make it more challenging for people with mental illness to speak out and seek help.

Lack of knowledge and education about mental illness is another major contributor to stigma and discrimination. Many people still hold misconceptions about mental illness, such as the belief that mental illness is caused by personal weakness, lack of willpower, or bad parenting. Such beliefs can lead to blaming and shaming individuals with mental illness, rather than providing support and understanding.

A common misconception is that mental illness is rare. In fact, mental illness is incredibly common, with approximately 1 in 5 adults in Australia experiencing a mental illness in any given year. Meanwhile, suicide has been identified as a leading cause of death in Australia and the primary cause of death for Australians aged 15 – 44. This devastating statistic drives home the importance of reducing stigma and discrimination within our culture.