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Those suffering from mental health problems as well as their families face multiple challenges. Not only do they have to cope with the symptoms of the illness, they also have to cope with the reactions of the society towards them.

 

Note: This article was created with valuable inputs from Dr. Sameer Malhotra, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist and Drug De addiction specialist. Dr. Malhota is currently serving as the Director, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Max Hospitals.

When someone sees you in a negative way because of a something as simple as the way you look, your skin colour, a disability or a mental illness, that is known as stigma. When we define a person or an individual by their illness rather than focussing on who the person is as an individual, the result is stigma, and it can be extremely traumatic for individuals to cope with.

For people with mental health issues, social stigma and discrimination experienced from others can make their problems worse, creating a barrier in seeking the right treatment in a timely manner, ruining the quality of life of the affected person and their family, etc.

People need to realise that psychiatric ailments are quite common and that no one is immune to them. Those suffering from mental health problems as well as their families face multiple challenges. Not only do they have to cope with the symptoms of the illness, they also have to cope with the reactions of the society towards them. These reactions include unnecessary advice without proper understanding and awareness, ridicule, avoidance, discrimination, etc. As a result, there is a delay in timely treatment.

Psychiatric problems can be effectively treated. People and families with mental illness get deprived of many opportunities which would have enabled them to lead a much better, satisfying and fulfilling life.

 

Here are some ways you can deal with stigma:

  • Recognize your illness and seek treatment. Even though you might not want to.
  • Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t feel shameful.
  • Stay connected with people. Don’t isolate yourself from family or friends.
  • Don’t put all your problems as a part of your illness. Accept the situation, face it and work towards improving it.
  • Get involved in some healthy and constructive activities.
  • Try to adopt a positive outlook and counter negative thoughts.
  • Avoid being too impulsive or over reactive or over judgemental.
  • Seek timely professional help from experts in managing mental health problems.
  • Speak out against stigma. Educate and sensitise yourself and others towards mental health
  • Try to empathise and reach out to those suffering from mental health problems.
  • Try to nurture trust. It helps.

If left untreated, psychiatric problems can lead to a disturbed mind, disturbed lifestyle, occupational unrest, disturbed family life and relationships, accidents and even suicide. People who suffer from depression are always on the lookout for talking about their feelings with someone they can trust. Family, friends, relatives should be able to provide a positive and comforting support system, and also offer assistance as and when needed. Timely and effective professional guidance and medical treatment from experts in the field is quite helpful.

So, let’s recognise and accept psychiatric problems and get them treated in a timely manner. Let’s join our hands towards providing mental health for all: Greater investment, greater access.

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