There has been a lot of discussion surrounding medication and mental health in recent years. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for this is that there have been so many advancements in the science of mental health pharmacology. However, while the efficacy and benefits surrounding medication and mental health continue to be positive, a segment of the population still stigmatizes it.
Understanding the Stigmas That Surround Mental Health
Stigmas surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. They even go back to before the terms “mental health” and “stigma” even existed. These were the times when people who we know were most likely struggling with mental illness were called “crazy” or “insane” and locked away as outcasts.
Of course, our understanding of mental illness has advanced well beyond that point, but stigmas surrounding it remain high among many people. Yes, the stigma still exists that some people regard those with mental health issues as “crazy.” These are also the people who cause harm through the stigmatizing language they use, such as “psycho,” “insane,” “unhinged,” and “mental patient.”
There are also stigmas that surround mental health disorders as though they are some form of choice, as though someone wills mental illness upon themselves. This is also highly noticeable in the way that people stigmatize those with substance use disorder (SUD) as making a choice rather than having a mental health disorder. Still, other stigmas exist that surround the way certain mental health disorders are treated. This is especially true with medication and mental health.
Understanding the Stigmas That Surround Medication and Mental Health
One stigma surrounding medication and mental health is that those who use medication are in some way taking an “easy way out.” This is both absolutely unfounded and potentially very damaging.
Mental health medications are often necessary to help mitigate and manage serious symptoms of mental illness. Taking antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia, for example. If medication isn’t taken, there is a chance that the untreated symptoms can lead to severe health and social issues.
Also, mental health medication is not a “cure,” as some people may think. No, mental health medication is meant to manage the symptoms so other forms of treatment can be more effective. For example, someone may take a mood stabilizer for bipolar I disorder. This will help them manage their symptoms so they can have more meaningful and effective sessions with a therapist.
How to Eliminate the Stigmas That Surround Medication and Mental Health
Eliminating stigmas that surround mental health takes conversation and action. For example, if someone is stigmatizing another for treating their mental illness with daily medication, they may be asked one simple question; “Would you say that someone who takes daily medication for cancer, diabetes, or heart disease is taking the easy way out?” This may help to show them that mental health disorders are chronic illnesses just like any other biological chronic illness. Thus, they should be treated as such.
Another way to eliminate the stigmas that surround medication and mental health is to get active. Volunteer at a local community center that focuses on mental health issues in the community, take part in National Mental Health Awareness Month, which takes place every May, and contact local representatives to see what initiatives they are working on to bring more healthy awareness to mental health issues.
Owning Autonomy: Understanding That Recovery Is Personal
For those of us who struggle with mental health issues or addiction, dealing with stigma can be a detrimental and draining everyday occurrence. The key to getting past it is to remind ourselves that our recovery is our own, and the only person that should be able to affect it is us.
There is a saying in 12-Step recovery: “Engaging with someone that is being negative is liking hitting ourselves in our own head to make a headache go away.” This means we cannot control how other people act, but we can control our actions and reactions.
It is okay to stop and correct someone when they are using stigmatizing language. Many times, we may be surprised to discover that they didn’t even know that what they were doing was inappropriate. However, if they are being intentional with their behaviors, it is also okay to just walk away. Our health is not worth wasting our time on people who don’t wish to grow.
Eliminating Stigma With Clearview
Here at Clearview, we not only help students with their recovery while they are with us. We also help them after they leave. Whether this is helping them to find recovery meetings, join a new academic institution, or form an alumni club, we are there.
We light our students’ path to recovery here at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, and that light doesn’t end at our doors. It follows them as they light up the world and become the future leaders of tomorrow.
The stigma that surrounds medication and mental health is still very real. The truth is that properly and professionally prescribed medications are a perfectly healthy and advantageous way to treat mental health issues. After all, do we stigmatize people who take medication for other chronic diseases like diabetes? No, of course not. People who struggle with mental illness should feel comfortable taking any means necessary to heal at the most optimal levels. If you feel like you are struggling with any stigmas surrounding issues of mental health, we can help. For more information on eliminating the stigma that surrounds mental illness and medication, please reach out to Clearview Horizon today at 866-584-4788.
