Sometimes you just need a day off. The alarm-clock sounds, the sun's shinning, the birds are singing and then there's you, slumped over, still in bed, unable to get up, get out and get going on the day – stuck in an inexplicable stupor.
Your throat's not sore, your head doesn't hurt, your stomach feels fine – you think it must be all in your mind.
Oh how right you probably are.
An estimated one in five Canadians will suffer from at least one mental disorder during their lifetime. But all too often mental issues go undiagnosed and untreated, and are misunderstood by many, which can lead to further problems, both for the one suffering and for society in general.
The stigma surrounding mental disorders is often cited as the primary motivation to ignore, keep hidden and downplay disorders affecting one's mental state.
So, what is this stigma and why is it a problem? And more importantly, how do we destroy it?
The Internet tells me social stigma is the disapproval of, or discontent with, a person on the grounds of characteristics that distinguish them from other members of a society.
In other words, it is a mark, visible or not, that leads one to feel personal shame and others to prejudge and devalue that person based on preconceived and often ignorant notions that surround the stigmatized characteristic or circumstance.
Some view mental health as separate from physical health and that those suffering from mental disorders are weak-minded or fully to blame for their situation.
Perhaps instead of trying to find fault, one could try developing compassion. Perhaps taking a wider view of human health would reveal what some of us already believe – that mental and physical well-being are not mutually exclusive and go hand in hand.
In terms of mental disorders, not only can this stigma keep someone suffering from a disorder from fully disclosing it, but it can also lead to the disorder worsening over time.
Some of the most well known examples of the effects of stigmatization are of military member suffering from a disorder and being unable to disclose their personal circumstance because of concerns regarding the loss of promotions, the possibility of demotions, and even losing the respect of fellow military members.
But these situations are not limited to the military.
Anyone, at any age, in any walk of life can suffer from mental disorders and all over the world the stigmas surrounding them remain.
We will likely never fully understand mental health and how to deal with mental disorders, but we ought to agree that the stigma attached to mental disorders is only making things worse.
Not all mental disorders lead those suffering to act out negatively. Disorders do not necessarily leave its sufferers helpless and mentally inept. In general, generalizing about mental health is not good – unless you're generalizing about generalizing, of course.
Some of my most high functioning friends have issues with their own mental health. While on the other hand, some of my most intelligent friends have had run-ins with the law and issues at school because of misunderstood and undiagnosed mental disorders. Some, for reasons that might forever go unknown, have resorted to taking their own life, while trying to live with a mental disorder.
The point is a stigma in any situation is going to be harmful and the results can be devastating for individuals and society.
Regardless of a person's mental state, they are still a person and should never be considered less than so.
To destroy a stigma, we must become aware of the characteristics and circumstances being viewed negatively and attempt to learn about and understand them. We don't have to claim to know it all. In fact, we will probably never know it all. But we can do our best to try understanding mental health – if not for our own mental well being, then for the overall well being of all of us.
