Standing up to Stigma

If a student walked into a class with a broken arm or leg – bandaged and visibly damaged – there would undoubtedly be concern and comfort from their classmates. Most people would offer support, enquire how the limb was broken, maybe carry their belongings or help them up the stairs. Most people recognise that a broken arm or leg is something to be recognised as a problem.

Imagine if that person was teased or victimised.

Whilst one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives, its’ especially worrying that one in ten young people will be affected. While it is a common mistake to label a teenager’s ‘bad mood’ or struggles as simply going through puberty, more and more young people are suffering in silence – in constant fear of stigma or discrimination.

Nine out of ten people with a mental health illness have recorded experiencing discrimination towards them because of their condition.

The effect of this sort of treatment can dramatically change attitudes towards life as well as affecting everyday activities and lifestyle. A person can become isolated, lose interest in their favourite activities, and lack motivation towards their lessons and schoolwork. Most importantly, the more stigma an individual experiences, the more reluctant they become to seek help. This makes their problems or illness progressively worse – so much so that it could

affect their physical health.

Stigma and discrimination in school are worryingly common. Because mental health is such a taboo subject, when a young person starts to realise that something may be wrong with them and decide to speak up, comments such as ‘attention-seeking’, ‘different’, and ‘strange’ are thrown around. This sort of response is hugely damaging to someone’s self esteem and self worth, making their mental illness far worse.

Having an open mind towards someone that could have a mental illness is important when it comes to avoiding this discrimination, however deliberate.

Spring 2014 Issue 1

There are many young people who create a facade by appearing happy and unhurt from comments – this could be someone suffering with mental health problems who is affected by the smallest negative comment.

This is just as important for teachers and parents. Not to treat anyone differently, but understanding when something may be wrong (even when it’s not obvious) is extremely important. Mental health problems affect three pupils in the average classroom, which you might find surprising. For friends of those suffering with an illness, it is the small but potentially life- changing things that you can do to help. Simply listening to them, keeping in touch and reminding them that you care could make a big difference to them. It can be incredibly hard to understand how a person is feeling and how to help, but even the small things can make big differences.

Not only do stigma and discrimination affect a young person’s school life, but many young people will be in fear of applying for or attending a job because of the worry of treatment by colleagues and members of the public. The reaction from those who have been a victim of this is the feeling of giving up. A negative

attitude from others on a person’s mental health can also make a person feel as though they want to give up, be that ambitions of applying to further education, or in the extreme, giving up on life.

The subject of mental health no longer needs to be considered a taboo subject. People who think that they may have a mental health illness and those who have been diagnosed shouldn’t feel shameful talking about it. People shouldn’t be fearful of other people’s thoughts and reactions, but should feel proud about being themselves. Talking about mental health can strengthen friendships and aid recovery. Some people may not ever want to talk about their illness, which should also be respected, but people should be able to feel comfortable and confident with themselves, without discrimination targeted at them. Standing up to stigma should be something people can do with confidence.