Some one once asked me whether I face mental health stigma after all the advocacy I have done. I wish the more we talked about mental illness the numbers would automatically drop.

Yes, we see more “Be kind you never know what someone is going through” or “Mental health is wellness” posts but in most cases, this has just become a trend with people jumping onto a roller coaster not wanting to be left out.

The real action that gets our hands dirty to fight stigma is still lacking. At this point I will just take off a minute to define it.

Mental Health Stigma is a negative attitude or stereotype about people with mental illness. It can lead to discrimination, prejudice and social isolation.

Even with increased awareness around mental health, stigma remains pervasive and complex. Mental health stigma can manifest in various forms.

Public stigma involves negative attitudes from society, leading to discrimination, prejudice, and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize these negative views, which can lead to self-doubt and make them hesitant to seek help.

We are so hard on ourselves when we are struggling. Institutional stigma refers to policies or practices in workplaces, healthcare, or government that limit resources or fair treatment for individuals with mental health conditions.

Courtesy stigma impacts those associated with such as family members, partners, or close friends, often facing judgment or isolation as well. Label Avoidance: To avoid being labeled, some people may choose not to seek help or disclose their mental health status, even if it prevents them from accessing necessary support and treatment.

Reasons why people may stigmatize mental illness includes:

1. The belief that mental illness is a sign of weakness or personal failure. This belief often arises from a misunderstanding of mental health conditions, which are frequently viewed as character flaws or failures to “think positively” rather than as genuine health issues. This stigma creates a barrier for those struggling with mental health to seek treatment, as they may feel ashamed or fear judgment from others. In reality, mental health conditions are influenced by complex factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences, none of which indicate personal failure or lack of resilience.

2. People fear mental illness because they don’t understand what it is and its reality. Many people are unfamiliar with the true symptoms, causes, and impact of mental health conditions, which can lead to stereotypes that paint these illnesses as unpredictable or dangerous. This misunderstanding is amplified by stigmatizing media portrayals, where extremes are highlighted and stereotypes reinforced, making it difficult for society to see mental illness beyond misconceptions. People are also afraid based on the experience they have had supporting a loved one with mental illness. Their bad experience makes them view all the others in a broken lens of pain because that is all they have known or witnessed.

3. Misconception of all people with mental illness act a certain way. Mental illness is not a one size fits all. Each person’s mental health journey is unique. Symptoms and experiences vary widely, even for people with the same diagnosis. This diversity in experiences highlights the need for individual understanding rather than generalized stereotypes.

Understanding mental illness requires a deeper level of empathy and awareness. Unlike physical illnesses, mental health conditions are often “invisible”—without obvious symptoms like a broken arm. This invisibility can make their impact seem less valid or severe, leading people to question their legitimacy.

This lack of understanding often fuels fear, avoidance, or even discriminatory behaviour toward those experiencing mental health challenges, underscoring the need for more compassionate and informed perspectives on mental health.

Addressing this fear requires ongoing mental health education to promote understanding and dismantle myths around mental illness. We need to make it a table topic where we can all be vulnerable with one another and realize that we all struggle. The more we talk about it the more people learn and are less afraid to get help or share their stories. Our stories are a radical form of healing where we allow the next person to be seen. They are places where we create change for the next generation to find a community of people who support them and help them on their journey to healing.