Despite being one of the top 10 causes of mortality in the world, awareness of mental disorders is not really put in the spotlight. A huge percentage of the world’s population is dealing with one form of mental disorder, which could be a result of several factors such as stigmatization, poor awareness, stigmatization, poor healthcare, financial restraints, and misconceptions.
Mental health is found in the entire human race, but deep-rooted cultural stigma has always been a hindrance to promoting discussions and awareness of it. Several people have refused to come out and speak about their mental health because there is a global belief about mental illness, which has led to prejudice and misunderstanding toward people suffering from mental health.
The Roots of Cultural Stigma
Historical context, religion, societal beliefs, and tradition are some of the major reasons why cultural stigma on mental health is still widely practiced. These factors have made people see those with mental illness as either failures in society or signs of weakness (mostly in men). Mental illness doesn’t just bring dishonour to the individual experiencing it, it has been reported to be a source of shame to the entire family. This has made people either deny its existence or keep it as a well-hidden family secret just to avoid societal discrimination.
Lack of mental health awareness and education has led to the misunderstanding of mental health in many societies, this has caused several myths and misconceptions on the subject matter. In Africa, for example, divine punishment and spiritual possession are widely believed to be the cause of mental illness and have prevented victims from getting the required care. Instead of seeking psychological and medical assistance, people with such cases are compelled to seek supernatural help from religious leaders and spiritual healers.
The Impact of Stigma on Mental Health
There are lots of consequences surrounding mental health stigmatization, with barriers being created to proper care being one of the most significant. The fear of being judged by their peers and society has made several individuals avoid speaking out and seeking treatment. In turn, this delay can lead to further deterioration in both their physical and mental health and also affect their self-belief.
Social isolation is common among those struggling with their mental well-being. Due to exclusion and constant rejection from both professional and social gatherings, people with mental health conditions usually draw back from most public interactions. This social isolation can further lead to a lack of professional support, which in turn worsens the mental condition. Social isolation can also cause self-blame, feelings of shame, self-harm, and anger that can speed up mental health deterioration and slow down recovery.
Breaking the Silence: Steps Towards Change
Several approaches can be used in breaking the silence surrounding cultural beliefs in mental health. We will list and discuss 5 crucial steps to consider when fighting those cultural norms.
- Education and Awareness: The importance of creating formal and informal awareness of mental health cannot be overemphasized. Mental health stereotypes and myths can be challenged using public education to give accurate information about mental health conditions. Kickstarting awareness campaigns in Schools, NGOs, community organizations, religious centers, and workplaces can help speed up the understanding of mental health and the significance of shunning stigmatization, supporting those victims, and promoting mental health literacy.
- Encouraging Open Conversations: “A problem shared is half solved.” Mental health stigmatization can be significantly reduced if conversations on mental health are normalized in society. Personal stories and experiences can be shared through social platforms, support groups, talk shows, seminars, documentaries and short movies, pamphlets, music, and media advertisements. This would encourage people with mental health issues to speak up and seek professional help, and also reduce stigmatization in society. The law can be created to protect victims from being stigmatized, and dialogue within family and society should also be encouraged, as it would help people speak up due to the feeling of being in a safe space.
- Engaging Community Leaders: The influence of community leaders in society cannot be overlooked. Thus, engaging community leaders, religious heads, public figures, and traditional leaders in spreading mental health awareness is very important. Religious and community heads can be sensitized and engaged in mental health initiatives to help foster a relationship between traditional beliefs and modern approaches to mental health. These leaders should be trained to easily recognize issues in mental health and be given access to working with professional mental health caregivers. They should also be encouraged to compel individuals to seek modern help related to mental health.
- Providing Accessible Mental Health Services: Mental health services should be adequately provided in every community. Services should be available in local languages, different methods of treatment that go in line with traditional and religious beliefs should be available, and cultural practices should be respected. Mental health service providers should also be encouraged to make their services accessible, confidential, and affordable to help encourage individuals to seek professional help without the fear of financial and/or public exposure.
- Advocacy and Policy Change: Policies that protect the rights of individuals with mental health challenges should be implemented and properly monitored. It is essential to have policies such as mental health insurance coverage, anti-discriminatory laws, government-funded organizations dedicated to mental health, and proper funding for mental health service providers. There should be an active relationship between advocates, lawmakers, and mental health workers to ensure that a supportive environment for mental health well-being is created and maintained,
The Road Ahead
To end the cultural stigma on mental health, a collective effort from everyone is needed to create a society where mental health is understood, accepted, prioritized, and utilized in every community. A future where everyone can speak up, seek help, get rehabilitated, and get accepted back into society is only possible if cultural stigma is identified, and addressed.
As mental health advocates looking for change, let’s always remember that mental health issues are psychological conditions and not cultural taboos. We should seek equality for everyone affected. Breaking the stigma is a long fight that requires collective efforts, but the end justifies the means. We can create a world where mental health is understood and becomes a normal part of society.
