Addressing the Stigma Around Mental Health and Residential Treatment
What is a Stigma?
The stigma around mental health can have a negative impact on care. Because of this, it’s important to learn how a stigma develops and the harm they can cause. This article will explore how stigmas affect mental health care, particularly in residential mental health treatment.
Stigmas, in general, are a set of negative beliefs or attitudes that society holds towards a particular group. Stigmas often result in discrimination or prejudice. They create a barrier that can cause people to hesitate to seek help and support when needed. Understanding stigmas are the first step in dismantling them.
What is a Mental Health Stigma?
A mental health stigma is a negative stereotype or prejudice. Mental health stigmas include using words to describe a person’s mental health like:
- Incompetent
- Dangerous
- Crazy
- Psychotic
But stigmas are more than just words. They can include judgment, avoidance and harmful stereotypes. Stigma comes with a certain amount of social backlash which contributes to people being hesitant to seek treatment.
Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is a complex task. It involves challenging societal norms and fostering open conversations. This means finding a way that changes the perception that mental health issues are a sign of weakness and that individuals can simply “snap out of it.” Dispelling these myths is crucial for promoting understanding and empathy.
Stigma Specific to Residential Mental Health Treatment
Residential mental health treatment, like the care offered at the Lindner Center of HOPE, faces its own set of stigmas. For example, some say it’s a last resort of care. Dispelling misconceptions like this is crucial to encourage individuals to explore all available treatment options.
Stigma Surrounding Specific Illnesses
Different mental health conditions face their own specific stigmas.
- Addiction: Often viewed as a moral failing rather than a complex medical condition. Addiction stigmas can prevent a person from seeking the help they need.
- Depression: Misconceptions about depression being just a “case of the blues” can lead people to trivialize the condition. This can make it challenging for individuals to share their struggles openly.
- Eating Disorders: Stigmas surrounding body image and eating disorders can perpetuate shame and guilt. These feelings prevent people suffering from this disorder from seeking early intervention.
- Schizophrenia: Due to media portrayal and lack of understanding, schizophrenia is often stigmatized. These stigmas can lead to discrimination against those living with the condition.
- Anxiety Disorders: The belief that anxiety is simply excessive worry downplays the severity of anxiety disorders. And doing so creates barriers to seeking treatment.
Residential Treatment at Lindner Center for HOPE
Lindner Center for HOPE is at the forefront of breaking down the stigma associated with residential mental health treatment. Challenging mental health stigmas and embracing personalized treatment approaches in residential care is what Lindner Center for HOPE does best. Discover more by listening to the stories of patients who have worked with Lindner.
By focusing on holistic treatments and addressing the unique needs of each individual, Lindner has been able to help people overcome the stigma around mental health and “be the best they can be.”
There is HOPE. For help, call 513-536-HOPE (4673) or 1-888-537-4229. Or click here to contact us.