Mental illness is not a defect. Anyone is prone to it. It’s a sickness like any other and is curable. Let’s stop this mentality that a person with mental illness is dangerous. This people need our help and support. We need to view them like the rest of us.
In most of the African societies, mental illness is deemed a curse, something demonic or an encounter with evil spirits. The victims are shunned in the society, outcasted by the others or even worse killed. This people become so hopeless and helpless with no where to turn to for help.
We need to be open minded when it comes to mental health. We need to learn more about mental health and on how to face the challenges pertaining to it. Stop the stigmatization of those with mental health problems.
Here are some of ways of curbing the stigmas;
.Talk openly about mental health
.Educate yourself and others about mental health
.Be conscious of your language (i.e. “that person is crazy” or “I’m so OCD”)
.Be empathetic and compassionate for those living with a mental illness
.Stand up against the way those living with mental illness are portrayed in the media
.Be an advocate for mental health reform
.Mental health stigmas will not simply go away on their own. By working together, a community of advocates can change the way mental illness is perceived in society.
Effects of stigmatisation can cause long term defects. They’re;
. Low self-esteem and feeling of worthlessness.
The feeling of not being good enough or worthy is excruciating. Nothing you do is enough and no matter what you do or even how you do it will cut it. Self-esteem is hard to build if ever and it can lead to drastic decisions because you feel like you’ve nothing to loose at the end of the day.
.Reluctance to ask for help.
You wonder how people will view you when you come out seeking help. You’re afraid of being judged and viewed differently by your friends or even peers.
.Lack of understanding.
People aren’t open to mental health. Majority don’t have the knowledge to know about it ,let alone how to deal with those with mental illness. No one is around to listen to you and try to help.
.Feeling of shame and isolation.
You’re termed as different and weird since no one understands you. You end up being on your own to avoid the finger pointing. In other situations, people isolate you since you’re ‘weird’ and do not behave like the rest of them.
.Unemployment
They’re deemed dangerous to the extent they can’t be employed. They wouldn’t cause havoc in work places just because they got a mental health issue. They work perfectly if not better than other people. Give them a chance to prove themselves and not shun them inappropriately.
Mental health is not a death sentence. It’s curable or containable and people get better. We need more awareness on mental health and on how to treat mental illnesses.
These people are highly misunderstood. Give them the help and attention the rightly need and deserve. Let’s be more open-minded when it comes to mental health.
LET'S TALK 