If you have read the past articles on this page, you might already know the word “stigma.” It is a negative stereotype (CMHA, 2023): a poor view of something according to common beliefs that are not often true. Negative stereotypes can target race, ethnicity, culture, age, and gender. For gender, you might have heard the stereotypes that girls are “weak” or “bossy,” which are neither accurate nor helpful, correct? Mental health stigma is the same way, neither truthful nor beneficial. 

Mental health stigma affects patients through public stigma, self-stigma (from within), depressive symptoms, poor self-esteem, life satisfaction, and relationships (Bracke et al., 2019). Some cultural mental health stigma examples include thinking that mental challenges are shameful or crazy, even though we all experience them: for some Asian Americans, the way mental illness reduces your ability to care for others makes it shameful to them (McLean Hospital, 2023). In reality, stigma hurts the person struggling and wrongly blames them for something out of their control. It creates a less accepting, loving, and understanding society about something prevalent. 

Quotes on mental health stigma include one by Thornicroft (2017), where he states: “There is no known country, society or culture where people with mental illness (diagnosed or recognized as such by the community) are considered to have the same value or be as acceptable as persons who do not have mental illness.” This is a disheartening statement about society and stigma. Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, says (2019): “Stigma is persistent in our health system. It creates barriers to equitable service and effective care for those in need. We must address, reduce and ultimately eliminate stigma to provide a safe, effective, and compassionate health system that puts people first. Together, we can create the most inclusive health system in the world”. Cultural stigma creates barriers to healthcare by shaming or guilting people out of necessary mental health resources (Canada, 2019). Discontinuation of treatment and poorer treatment are also associated with stigma (Knaak et al., 2017). 

Let’s look at men’s mental health stigma; it is also often discussed. For centuries, men have been encouraged to be strong. The unrealistic expectations and stereotypes towards men have led to their mental health challenges being seen as a “weakness” by others (Marcello, 2022, June 16). In many cultures, a taboo is associated with men’s mental health, especially in cultures where they are given important, strong roles (Gough, 2020). Generally, men are less likely to tend to their mental health, maybe because they are seen as less “manly” for speaking about their feelings (Marcello, 2022, June 16). As one can imagine, depression and anxiety are men’s most frequent mental disorders. Humber River Hospital suggests that men take the first step in admitting they need help and practice coping through exercise and activities such as yoga and chi. There are even clinicians today that specialize in men’s mental health.*

*If you are in Canada and wish to find clinicians with specializations such as men’s issues or otherwise (trauma, self-harm, depression, and anxiety), try searching for mental health professionals at bookmytherapy.ca or Psychologytoday.com’s therapist finder.

As Dr. Theresa Tam said, we need to break the stigma. Within cultural communities, there are many ways to end the stigma.