There is a lot of stigma around mental illnesses. Stigma is mainly of 2 types: social stigma and self stigma. And with stigma come many myths and fears. Dr Venkatesh Babu, a Psychiatrist with over 12 years of experience, explains the meaning/definition of Social Stigma. He talks about how we can combat stigma and encourage people to break the stigma of mental health.

Video Breakdown:

0:22 - What is Stigma? Stigma Meaning

0:36 - What are the types of Stigma?

1:15 - How to deal with stigma ?

2:49 - Why is mental illness stigmatized?

3:33 - How to help someone deal with Mental illness?

#metalhealthawareness #stigma #stigmameaning

Video Transcript:
With all advancements in psychiatry and psychology, in a good amount of society, a great deal of
stigma still persists.
Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way for a particular attribute or characteristic of
yourself, failing to see you as an individual.
Stigma can be of two types; one is social or public stigma – people and their attitude towards
someone who is suffering.
Treating someone in a negative way because of their mental illnesses can have a very devastating
effect.
They might have poor job opportunities, strained interpersonal relationships because of
stigmatizing behaviour, limited social support system…
All these experiences could instil a sense of self doubt in a person who is already suffering.
The next thing is self-stigma – the way you treat yourself.
Stigma can be a strong barrier in expressing yourself and seeking help required to deal with mental
illness.
People’s attitudes and behaviours can only complicate things further.
So, it is important that you don’t let those attitudes and behaviours define your requirement of
seeking help.
Don’t personalise.
People largely try to judge you, and these judgemental behaviours are not the product of them
knowing you well.
So, this can be seen as lack of awareness, ignorance rather than remarking on you, personally.
Do not believe in it. Don’t let other people’s ignorance influence your own thinking.
Mental illness is not a sign of weakness, seeking professional help doesn’t make you any less of a
person.
Don’t hideaway. It is common for people to isolate themselves and limit social engagement.
This may further complicate things because they can’t express their problems or find a way out of
them.
Lastly, you are not your illness – you are beyond it.
You are somebody’s husband, somebody’s son, somebody’s wife, somebody’s mother…
So, see yourself in multiple dimensions and not in a unidimensional approach of being ill, healthy or
unhealthy, these kinds of dichotomies do not exist.
Generally speaking, stigma is not just confined to mental illness.
Stigmatizing behaviours is seen towards mental illnesses, physical conditions or disabilities.

People view these as a character flaw or a weakness.
Today, the causes of mental illnesses are largely explained by biological or genetic factors or as a
result of childhood trauma, stressful life events, environmental injustice, exposure to violence etc.
These have led to a deeper understanding of mental illnesses but even with all these advancements
in psychiatry and psychology, a great deal of stigma still persists in a large amount of society.
Educate yourself. Be aware of your own attitudes and behaviours.
Examine your own judgements, thinking and identify you own bias and stereotypes you practice.
Try to work on them.
They may have been influenced on you in your upbringing through media and the society in
general.
Choose your words carefully. You do not say that someone is mental, a psycho, half-mind or crack.
That is derogatory.
Educate people around you about mental illnesses. Pass on the basic information about the illness,
the risk factors, the myths surrounding the illness – break those myths.
Build a positive attitude among family members or friends.
Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Try to express empathy.
Lastly, don’t discriminate against people with mental illnesses.
Don’t deny them job opportunities, services or help required for them to deal with their illness and
make a productive living too.