Mental Health Awareness Month: Daily Practices to End the Mental Health Stigma

Written by Kelsey Someliana-Lauer, Therapy Practice Solutions Virtual Assistant

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed annually in May to raise awareness about mental health issues, promote mental wellness, and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. During this month, various organizations, communities, and individuals engage in advocacy efforts, education campaigns, and events to highlight the importance of mental health and support those affected by mental illness. The overarching goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to foster open conversations about mental health, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and promote access to mental health resources and support services.

Mental Health Awareness Month was founded to address the significant stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness and to advocate for improved mental health care. Historically, mental health issues have been misunderstood, marginalized, and stigmatized, leading to discrimination and barriers to treatment for those in need. Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a platform to advocate for policy changes, increased funding for mental health services, and greater access to mental health care for all individuals.

As a Mental Health Therapist, you do work every day that reduces stigma - validating others’ emotions, encouraging vulnerability, and providing a safe space to be imperfect. However, ending the mental health stigma doesn’t start and end in the therapy room itself!

What are some daily strategies you can do outside of the therapy room to reduce the mental health stigma? The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions are here to help! Read on for some of our favorite strategies.

Strategy #1: Watch Your Words

As therapists, we know words have power. Consider how the follow common words/phrases perpetuates the mental health stigma:

• Using derogatory or dismissive language to describe mental health conditions (e.g., "crazy," "psycho," "nutcase").

• Employing labels that define individuals solely by their mental health diagnosis (e.g., "schizo," "bipolar").

• Associating mental health conditions with weakness or personal failure (e.g., "You just need to toughen up," "Why can't you just be happy?").

• Using phrases that minimize the severity of mental health struggles (e.g., "It's all in your head," "Just get over it").

• Using mental health terms as metaphors for negative experiences (e.g., "That's so OCD," "She's acting like a maniac (manic)").

Instead, consider how these words/phrases reduce the stigma of living with a mental health concern:

• Use person-first language that emphasizes the individual over their diagnosis (e.g., "person living with schizophrenia" instead of "schizo").

• Avoid using labels or diagnoses as insults or jokes, and challenge others who do so.

• Offer empathy and support rather than judgment or criticism when someone discloses their mental health struggles.

• Educate yourself and others about the reality of mental health conditions and the importance of destigmatizing language and attitudes.

By being mindful of the language we use and its potential impact on individuals living with mental health conditions, we can work towards creating a more supportive and inclusive society where everyone feels valued and understood.

Strategy #2: Don’t Perpetuate the Mental Health Stereotypes

While we’ve done a lot of work in the mental health field to deconstruct stereotypes (think: pushing for inclusivity for all neurotypes, rejecting ODD due to over-diagnosis for Black Americans, etc.), we’re not totally there yet.

Consider how the following myths show up for you:

• People with mental illness are violent or dangerous.

• Mental illness is a sign of weakness or personal failure.

• Mental health problems only affect certain groups of people and not others.

• People with mental illness cannot lead fulfilling or productive lives.

• Children cannot have mental health problems; it's just a phase they will grow out of.

• Mental health treatment is always expensive and inaccessible.

• Only severe mental health conditions require professional treatment; mild symptoms can be ignored or managed on one's own.

Now, to challenge these myths, try to:

• Educate yourself about mental health conditions and their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

• Correct misinformation and challenge stereotypes whenever you encounter them.

• Share accurate information and personal stories to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

• Encourage open dialogue about mental health and create a safe space for discussion.

• Advocate for accurate portrayals of mental health in media, entertainment, and popular culture.

• Lead by example and prioritize your own mental health and well-being, demonstrating that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Strategy #3: Practice Advocacy In and Out of the Therapy Space

We teach advocacy skills to our clients - setting boundaries, asking for that raise at work, leaving the unkind partner. Yet, how often do we engage in advocacy work outside of the therapy room?

Consider the following ways you can engage in advocacy to end the mental health stigma: 

• Join local or national mental health organizations and advocacy groups.

• Participate in mental health awareness campaigns and events.

• Educate others about mental health issues and the importance of advocacy.

• Advocate for policies that promote mental health equity and access to care.

• Support legislation that funds mental health services and programs.

• Share personal stories and experiences to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

• Volunteer your time and skills to support mental health initiatives and programs.

• Collaborate with community partners to address mental health needs and gaps in services.

• Use your voice and platform to amplify the voices of individuals living with mental illness.

• Encourage open dialogue about mental health and challenge stigma and discrimination when you encounter it.

We hope this post helped give you some ideas on practicing non-stigmatizing mental health work in your daily interactions! At Therapy Practice Solutions, we know how important it is for you to use your time and energy in ensuring high quality care for your clients. If you’d like to offload tasks to make time for providing great care to your clients, reach out to us today. The pros at Therapy Practice Solutions would love to help you help others. We look forward to hearing from you!