Breaking the Stigma
By: bee mtz
Inclusion is the way…
Content warning: mental illness stigma
I hear and use the phrase “break the stigma” all the time. For me, it’s about owning what I perceive as a flaw and declaring it flawsome. It means that when the scars from my self-hurting recovery show, I can talk about it openly.
Breaking the stigma means, that I am a psychologist and mental health blogger, period; not a psychologist and mental health blogger who has their own mental health struggle. I’m not saying that my struggles are not relevant. I’m saying, for this particular purpose, they shouldn’t matter as much the work I’m doing.
Thinking critically, we understand that sometimes our favorite singer releases a song we loathe. I read somewhere that if there’s a tornado, an architect’s house will be torn down… Because, singer and architect aren’t perfect, not even on their craft, but they’re always human. So are you, so am I, so is everyone.
And, believe it or not, this is what I thought about when contemplating the topic of inclusivity. A lot of us are trying to break the stigma by waving our flag and opening the path for those in our own niche. That’s only natural. However, let’s flip the script for a second and focus on The Other.
We all have struggles, some heavier than others, yet all of them are valid. When we accept that and help others with their burden, we become more empathetic. So, here’s a thought… what are we doing for those whose struggle is different than ours?
Am I educating myself on issues that are not directly affecting me?
Here are a few places to start…
- Mental Health America is helping all people live mentally healthier lives. Have you seen our take on how to stay mentally healthy all year?
- Children’s Mental Health Ontario works to identify and develop solutions to important policy issues affecting children and youths.
- Follow Youth Mental Health to learn what youth mental health issues are about. Remember when we talked about The Bully in our Brain
- Join the community of Autism Awareness to help put pieces of the puzzle together.
- With Love is Respect, you can empower young people to end dating violence.
- Trans Equality advances the civil rights of trans people through advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment.
Am I advocating for causes that are not near and dear to my heart?
Take a look at these campaigns…
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness is asking you to stand up for mental health.
- Be educated and inspired by The OCD Stories.
- Change the conversation about mental health on college campuses with Active Minds.
- Native Health provides holistic, patient-centered, culturally sensitive health and wellness services.
- The CAMH Foundation raises funds and awareness for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada.
- The Kennedy Forum seeks to set a new standard for the future of mental health care in the United States.
Am I devoting my resources to help reduce a stigma I’m not associated with?
These organizations need you…
- ADAA informs the public about anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders and their treatments.
- Bipolar UK supports everyone affected by bipolar, including carers, families, and loved ones.
- You know the importance of body positivity. Eating Disorder Hope promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery.
- Be a volunteer for Crisis Text Line, help people understand the power of choices.
- Advocate for the mental health of women of color with Brown Sisters Speak.
- Join our open source If Me. We are always looking for volunteers to help us grow!
I believe it’s our duty to find common ground on empathy, not only on fighting for our own causes. That would be limiting. I believe caring for others is building bridges, and inviting others into our life is enriching it. I believe behind everything we do, there is the potential to connect and it’s up to us how far to reach, and that from as far as we reach, we will reap what we sow.
So, #breakthestigma, sister, brother, friend. But not only yours. Not ours. Not mine. Follow, invite and include those who the community frowns upon. Lend a hand to the one you don’t understand. Give it time. Advocate for those whom someone else wouldn’t acknowledge as worthy of support…
Be an Ally today.
