How can we help fight the stigma surrounding mental health?

One of the problems being faced surrounding mental health is its stigma. Culturally, we still don’t know how to talk about mental health in positive and healthy way. With 1 in 4 people likely to experience mental ill health at some point in their lives and 450 million people worldwide living with a mental health illness it is important that we are talking about this.

The Time to Change campaign are a growing social movement of people who aim to change how we think and act in regard to mental health problems. They also aim to improve the public behaviour and attitudes towards people with mental health problems and reduce the amount of discrimination that people face.

Since the Time to Change campaign began in 2007, 4.1 million adults in England have had an improved attitude towards mental health. Even with a huge societal change in the way we approach the subject, there is still a long way to go.

What can we do to help break the stigma?

• Address the need for more education surrounding mental health. As fear of stigma is the main reason why people don’t often seek treatment initially. Educating the public to break down barriers and allow people to share their struggles can let them know that they are not alone.
• Encourage equality between physical and mental illness.
• Talk openly about mental health. Are you or is someone you know struggling with mental health? Ask for help and spread the word!
• Support organisations that support mental health.
• Be conscious of the language you use when talking about mental health. By not using derogatory or hurtful language, you can help affect the way other people think.

The Time to Change campaign’s Time to Talk Day is on the 1^st February 2018. Wherever you are, you can talk about mental health. Get involved here and find out how you can make the most out of the day.

Visit Time to Change to learn more about how you can help fight the stigma. Led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness