stigma

People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.

The Diary of a Broke, Anxious Woman Living with Depression
As a kid, I never knew. Sadly, mental health does not get covered in schools nearly enough, or at least it didn't when I was there. That's why I never even knew I was plagued with mental illness at such a young age. I just assumed what everyone assumed. I was a weird kid. There was no way I could've known any better.
By Waverleigh Rose Garlington7 years ago in Psyche
Mental Health Stigma
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences from Northern Arizona University. While everyone was worried about what they were going to do after graduation, I was blessed to already have a job lined up.
By Marissa Hall8 years ago in Psyche
My Hidden Scars
Cutting yourself is for attention, right? Wrong. It’s all so familiar, the teen with cuts all down their arms, ridiculed by the same students that comment “scars are beautiful” for likes and an ego boost. It’s become a large part of social media, all based on stereotypes and judgements from ignorant reflections on a laptop screen.
By Lovatic Love8 years ago in Psyche
The R-Word Is Unacceptable Here or Anywhere
Dear Comedians, My name is Texxx-Man Cosplay and I'm not only a LGBTQ+ cosplayer, but I'm also a cosplayer with a disability. I was diagnosed with Autism, which is a developmental disorder characterized by troubles with social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior. My autism is mild, meaning that I may find work settings more challenging than an individual with greater language challenges but fewer sensory or social problems. Later on in my adult life, I was diagnosed with Aspergers. As a kid, I struggled to communicate with the other children and was isolated all the time. Now as an adult, I still feel isolated from my friends and everyone that supports and loves me. I still go through so many challenges daily like I did in my younger years.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 8 years ago in Psyche
Why Are We Still Scared??!!
Sometimes, I can sit and think for a long time before starting a piece of writing. I plan it through carefully and thoughtfully, with a specific structure in mind before I start to type. Sometimes, however, I can simply see something or experience something, and with it there comes a sudden need to write all of my thoughts down with absolutely no structure or plan whatsoever. This particular piece of writing is a product of the latter.
By Laura .8 years ago in Psyche
This Is Why Men & Women Dealing with Mental Illness Don't Talk About It
“Shoot, if it was me, I’d take a vacation instead.” I could not believe my ears when I heard those words, but that is what the CVS Pharmacy tech said to me after I paid $143.60* for one of my monthly prescriptions. Without fail, every month when I pick this up, the tech asks me if I am aware that it costs $143, as if I should reply, “Oh, no thanks- I actually don’t need that medicine after all.”
By Stephanie King8 years ago in Psyche
We Must Stop Stigmatizing Mental Health
"She's mentally ill, therefore she is violent." Time and time again through my own long experience of mental health problems, and as a mental health champion, have I heard this. Yes, it is true, there are some mental health problems that can be violent at times, but it is THE 'mental health problem,' not the person, who is violent.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Psyche
Language and Mental Health
We all have used words to emphasize how we feel. "I feel depressed." "I'm OCD." "I'm having a panic attack." However, using language like this in everyday life may have a negative impact on those with mental illness. It contributes to stereotypes and creates stigma. These terms and phrases are often used incorrectly and may contribute to negative stereotypes about mental health issues.
By Lorraine Woiak8 years ago in Psyche
Mental Health and Self Employment
There's nothing I could think of, that could be worse than being employed. I couldn't get up at a certain time in the morning, waiting for the bus to start my shift.
By Summer Clarke8 years ago in Psyche
Living with a Mental Illness
First off, I'm going to let it be known right here and now that I am not ashamed to admit that I have a mental illness and I somehow manage to make it through each and every single day of my life without hurting myself or anyone else. Some days this is not an easy task. Some days it takes all I have inside of me just to get up out of bed in the morning. I honestly hate it. There is not one single day where I do not know that I have it because each day it presents a new challenge to my life in one way or another. Please allow me to explain.
By Phoenix Cobain8 years ago in Psyche
"Crazies"
It's the words they use to define you that hurt the most; mental, barmy, drama queen, CRAZY! There's that old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Well, let me tell you something, words do hurt. They really hurt. Especially when it's over something you can't control. No one asks for a mental illness, no one asks to feel depressed, no one asks to feel anxious. It’s not something we choose, it just happens.
By Crazy Unicorn8 years ago in Psyche
Growing Up Introverted
Growing up introverted and not knowing what it even means to be introverted can be a very scary thing. I want to shed light onto my own experience with growing up and how I managed to come to peace with myself and accept myself for who I truly am despite what the people around me think. I spent my whole childhood and teenage years wasting them away because I was afraid of my own self and capabilities and was too focused on fitting in rather than being happy. I wanted to be like the people I loved and admired rather than put in effort to search for what made me feel comfortable.
By Julie Smith8 years ago in Psyche