Label Jars Not People: Stop the Stigma of Mental Illness

By Luis Orozco, LCSW –

“Stigma” derives from a Greek word that in its origins referred to a kind of mark, such as a wound, burn or tattoo on the skin. This mark was used to identify criminals, slaves or traitors, who were rejected by society. Nowadays, the word is used to describe an act of discrimination against a group of people who share a common characteristic, such as a physical attribute (skin color), an immigration status (legal status in a given country) or a socioeconomic background.

Unfortunately, many people suffering from emotional distress are stigmatized time and time again. They’re mistakenly regarded as “unstable”, “weak” or “problematic” individuals.

As a therapist, I had the opportunity to work with an endless number of people who were under deeply vulnerable emotional states, and I can assure you these labels are wrong. People suffering from an emotional distress are human beings with an enormous strength and a remarkable endurance. This is the reason why I’ve come to the conclusion that emotional hardships are an indication that an individual has endured a situation for too long.

However, stigma prevents people from obtaining the help they need. Many people who could benefit from professional assistance are not getting it because of their fear to be judged and, as a consequence, they end up facing more dangerous situations, such as having suicidal thoughts.

Becoming aware of this is important. It is also important not to criticize or judge people who are suffering from an emotional condition or mental disorder. The truth is that we’re all vulnerable to developing these conditions. I can assure you that if somebody losses a loved one or lacks the basic resources for survival, there are high chances that they become so depressed or distressed that end up developing a psychological disorder.

According to a report published by the World Health Organization, around 350 million people suffer from depression across the world. This number exceeds the current population of the USA (approximately 321 million). Stigma many times exacerbates this issue. Join the effort and help us reduce stigma in mental health.

Below you will find five tips to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness.