Press "Enter" to skip to content

Aware of the Stigma

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults faces a mental health issue. However, over half of those affected by mental health complications do not receive treatment. Why is that?

Multiple factors can influence why people do not seek treatment, but they most often return to stigma. Stigma is a socially constructed marker of disapproval or shame. It is a mark that someone is an outsider. Stigma creates prejudice and discrimination. Prejudice is the agreement with the beliefs of stigma leading to emotional reactions; discrimination is the behaviors that result from stigma and prejudice. Discrimination damages the livelihood of those with mental health problems and further discourages them from seeking treatment.

This cycle of stigma, prejudice, and discrimination has created a mental health crisis, but this is not due to any individual fault.