Mental Health Week & Self-Stigma
Mental health is a term gaining recognition around the world with each passing moment. It refers to the health of our mental state, including how we think, feel, regulate emotions, cope with stress, and relate to others (American Psychological Association, 2023).
Importantly, mental health is something we all have because we all experience thoughts, emotions, and stress in our daily lives. It is not limited to the presence or absence of a mental illness. Just as physical health exists on a spectrum, mental health does as well. Some days we may feel resilient and balanced, while other days we may struggle emotionally, mentally, or socially.
Despite mental health being a universal part of the human experience, it is still often stigmatized in society. Many people grow up hearing that struggling emotionally is a sign of weakness, failure, or something to hide. Over time, these messages can become internalized.
Psychologists refer to this process as self-stigma, which occurs when individuals begin applying negative societal beliefs about mental health to themselves (Corrigan et al., 2014). Self-stigma is associated with shame, lower self-worth, and avoiding support or treatment even when help may be beneficial.
For example, two people may experience the exact same challenge, such as anxiety, burnout, or a difficult life transition, yet think about themselves in completely different ways.
High self-stigma individual
● Thinks: “There’s something wrong with me.”
● Feels ashamed for struggling
● Avoids talking to others or seeking support
Low self-stigma individual
● Thinks: “This is difficult, but struggling is part of being human.”
● Feels more accepting of their emotions
● Is more open to talking, coping, or reaching out for help
The challenge itself may be similar, but the story someone tells themselves about that struggle can greatly influence how they cope with it.
Because of this, fostering open and compassionate conversations about mental health is incredibly important. When people feel safe discussing their struggles without fear of judgment, it becomes easier to seek support, practice self-compassion, and view mental health challenges through a lens of resilience rather than shame. Mental health should not be viewed as a personal failure, but as a natural and human part of life.
— Noah D. Gubert
References
American Psychological Association. (2023). What is mental health?
https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health
Corrigan, P. W., Druss, B. G., & Perlick, D. A. (2014). The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking
and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 15(2), 37–70.