Demystifying Mental Health Stigma

“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: It is easier to say ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say ‘My heart is broken.’”

C. S. Lewis, 1940

Don’t minimize. Validate.

Stigma is a killer. It makes us think we’re weak, alone, helpless, and hopeless. We conceal our mental and emotional pain because we’re worried about the perception others will have of us. It adds to our burden we carry.

Ask around. You’re not alone in your mental health journey. If you have the courage to speak up you’ll find others who have been to therapy, who are medicated, who have contemplated suicide. They’ll tell you what it was like for them and how they made it through. They’ll offer you hope.

How can you break the stigma? Start a conversation about mental health in your department and keep it going. Hold family, friends, and co-workers accountable for how they talk about mental health issues. Be vulnerable with others. Offer others hope. Break the stigma for yourself, for others, and for those you are leading.