STOP STIGMA

I believe it is important for us as a society to work as a collective force to stop the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

When someone approaches you expressing how they are seeking treatment for their mental health, it is important to be conscious of how you react to that person's expressed desire to seek treatment for their mental health. A disapproving reaction to that person's desire to seek out treatment for their mental health can have a harmful impact on that particular person. Another way to stop the stigma that surrounds mental illness is to make people aware that mental illnesses can be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and genetics, I think people who stigmatize mental illness tend to think that mental illness is not a real illness, educating people that mental illness can have a biological cause, I think can lessen the stigma to some degree.

Just talking about mental illness and talking about the stigma, can help to stop the stigma. As a result of the stigma, people are scared to talk about their mental health issues and are ashamed, which harms their mental health. People who suffer from mental illness often benefit from talking about their struggles. In conclusion, being accepting towards mental health treatment, making people aware of what causes mental illnesses, and talking about mental illness, can help stop the stigma around mental illness.

Patrick Fogarty

UPEI student, Charlottetown