What is Depression?
Experiencing Self-stigma
People with mental illnesses, such as depression, identify stigma as their number one concern. Stigma is not only hurtful, it is dangerous. Fear of cruel judgments can prevent people from getting help in the first place or interfere with their treatment and recovery when they do enter treatment. In the larger social context, stigma related to mental illness means that governments invest less in services, treatments and research for mental illness.
Self-stigma
People with depression live in the same cultural context as those who stigmatize their suffering. As a result, they can hold exactly the same devaluing attitudes and blame themselves for their illness. Self-stigma is particularly insidious, as it robs people of hope. They begin to feel that they deserve the rejection and poor treatment they receive.
Let’s eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Read more at the Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign.
