Stigma a barrier to seeking mental health support

WE all have mental health, and just as our physical, social, and spiritual health, it is an important aspect of who we are.

Whilst physical fitness helps our bodies to stay in form, mental fitness helps us to achieve and sustain a state of good mental health.

It is unfortunate that when we say mental health, some people automatically think mental illnesses. We need to know that mental health includes our psychological, social, and emotional well-being. It impacts how we think, how we feel, and how we behave in our daily lives. Poor mental health may lead to mental health difficulties.

Mental health difficulties can affect people of all ages, gender, and backgrounds. When mental health difficulties remain untreated, the symptoms can worsen and negatively impact a person’s well-being. When people have mental health difficulties, they need to get help.

While mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, substance use disorders, suicide and obsessive compulsive disorders are common in our society, not many people seek mental health support. Why is this so?

There are many reasons why people do not seek help, but stigma and fear top the list.

This article is calling on members of the public to shun stigmatisation of mental health issues. Apart from stigma and fear, people do not always know where to seek help.

People suffer more from mental health challenges if they delay in seeking help. Also, some people with mental health difficulties may not feel that they need help, thus, they endure the suffering and the pain.

Some people doubt and are pessimistic about the effectiveness of seeking help or some never adhere to, or complete treatment as needed. Remember, mental health disorders are treatable, and people do not always get better on their own, without caring support and help.

Seeking help allows people to learn how to manage their difficulties thereby living a fruitful life, and enjoying a healthy well-being.

Stigma is a toxic element that leads people to have poor help-seeking behaviour. The following are some of the ways in which communities can prevent stigma.

◆ Stop stereotyping or attaching negative connotations to people who use or want to use mental health services. Instead refer people and encourage them to seek mental health care services. Mental health care services are found at local clinics, district and provincial hospitals as well as other registered mental health service providers. ◆ Stop discriminating or treating those affected in a negative way. Help those affected to shun self-stigma or attach stigma stereotypes to themselves. Instead show love and care.

◆ We should desist from labelling people who are not feeling well, it is not helpful at all, instead let us be more supportive. ◆ For those affected do not let the fear of

being labelled with mental illness stop

you or your loved ones from getting help. ◆ Do not buy into stigma, be kind to yourself and find positive ways to overcome and restore your mental well-being.

◆ There are many ways to help you recover; educate yourself (from authentic sources) about what is going on with you or your loved one. Remember knowledge and being informed are the first steps to recovery.

◆ Respect someone’s confidentiality and

move your past negative ideas to support. In 2022, change your mindset where mental health is concerned and be a champion in challenging stigma by speaking up when you hear people around you making negative or wrong comments about mental illness.

Encourage others by letting them know that they can overcome their difficulties and be able to achieve what they want in life.

Dr Mazvita Machinga is a qualified Psychotherapist based in Mutare. For more information and help in counseling and psychotherapy call 0771 754 519 or our toll free helpline at 08080482