What is Stigma?
Stigma can be defined as “a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something” (Merriam-Webster Dictionaries) and can be found in many aspects of society such as: socioeconomic status, age, gender, mental illness, and disability.
Stigma often takes on different shapes and forms. Particularly in the early stages- for example when people begin making insensitive remarks surrounding one's mental illness and/or begin questioning one's illness- stigma is often very subtle. It can then move into the nature of blame: statements such as “He must have done something to deserve this.”

Finally, on the other end of the spectrum, it may result in overt negative behaviours which is often classified as discrimination.

Stigma and Mental Illness.
Stigma is the unfortunate reality with many people with mental illnesses. Often people report that how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to care; care which can help return a sense of fulfillment and substance to the patient's life. Individuals with a mental illness frequently are faced with multiple, intersecting layers of stigma as a result of
their mental illness and their identity. An example of this may be:
     -A woman with a mental illness may face the stigma that comes from both sexism as             well as her illness.

     -A transgender individual may face the stigma that comes from both transphobia as well        as their illness.

 In addition, living with stigma, and often the discrimination that is a result of stigma, in      and of itself has a negative impact on mental health.

Barriers to Treatment and Care.
It is said that more than half of the population who live with mental illness refrain from seeking care and treatment due to the stigma that surrounds mental illness. People often avoid or delay seeking treatment out of fear and concerns about being treated differently or even out of fear of losing their jobs and livelihood due to the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. This is an issue since it serves as yet another barrier to treatment and care. The stigma around mental illness is still very much a problem in societies today.

Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with mental illness can be obvious, or it can be subtle. Some examples may include situations such as:
     -A landlord screens their potential tenants based on whether or not they have mental              illness and refuses said tenant due to their mental illness, which is more overt or                      obvious.

     -An employee who has never shown any prior grounds for termination voices to their
      employer concerns regarding their mental illness and then is later let go by said
     employer for unknown causes, which is more subtle.

     -After disclosing their anxiety during intake, an emergency room doctor discredits a
     patient's symptoms as “just anxiety” without properly assessing for further health
     occurrences and discharging said patient.
 

Addressing Stigma

How can you address the stigma around mental illness?
     -Educate yourself on the facts of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders.

     -Be aware of your own attitudes and behaviours. We all have engrained ways of thinking
     based off of what we've been taught by our society at large! Don't be ashamed of, or
     afraid to change, the ways you may have previously viewed mental illnesses.
     
     -Choose to educate others. Pass on facts to counteract myths and stereotypes.

     -Support everyone. Treat everyone with respect and dignity!

     -Find out ways to create safe, inclusive spaces in your communities.

      -Get involved! Find ways to engage with your local mental health organizations and
      donate where possible.