Mental Health awareness has certainly progressed over the past 50 years, but sadly a certain stigma still surrounds those that have been diagnosed with or are seeking treatment for a mental health condition.
Embarrassment, shame, fear or lack of knowledge keep many individuals from seeking treatment. Certain cultures still vilify mental health or lack resources to fully understand the conditions and treatment.
It’s estimated that 1 in 4 people have a treatable mental or emotional difficulty, yet less than half of these individuals seek treatment.
Terms that create embarrassment and shame such as “crazy, psychotic, weak or lame” often keep individuals from finding help for their mental health illness. Sometimes family members advise an individual to “suck it up or get over it.”
These unhelpful statements only serve to keep individuals stuck in their pain and continue to perpetuate the stigma of mental health illness. One cannot just “suck it up” and get over heart disease, so why are individuals told to “get over it” whether it’s depression or anxiety or PTSD?
It’s important to understand that, similar to a physical illness, the pain of a mental illness will not go away on its own. Many Americans are quick to seek treatment for a medical problem, yet delay or never seek treatment for mental illness.
If an individual has a diabetes condition, they wouldn’t consider not seeking treatment. Instead, they often find combining medication and healthy lifestyle changes predicts a manageable outcome.
Mental health treatment should be and can be addressed the same way. There should be no difference in the way society views medical disorders and mental health concerns.
At One-Eighty Counseling we are committed to helping individuals turn their lives around. We recognize that it takes great courage and strength in our society to seek out mental health treatment.
Trusting a stranger to walk with you through some of your hardest days can be intimidating. But acknowledging your mental health condition and admitting you need help is brave and we applaud you in finding the help you deserve.
Sarah Coates, LCMHC is the founder and president of One80 Counseling. They have a commitment to a standard of cultural competence which is built on empathy, knowledge and sensitivity. Learn more at one80counseling.com.
