Prejudice and discrimination against mental illness creates a damaging wake throughout our society. These negative stigmas impact not only those who need treatment, but also their family and friend support groups. Additionally, social norms and community views on psychiatry and mental illness are influenced by these stigmas. The challenge of addressing negative stigmas is further amplified due to existing prejudices towards gender, orientation, and race, as well as cultural differences and beliefs.
Individuals with mental health illnesses are at increased risk of isolation, loneliness, poor self-esteem, and being victims of bullying and abuse in relation to their illness (Kung, 2025). The impact of this can cause individuals not to seek care and those who do have an increased risk of stopping from fear of being identified as having a mental illness (Ahad et al., 2023). The lack of treatment can cause conditions to worsen resulting in increased challenges for recovery.
Why do we place judgement on what type of sickness a person has? Why do some illnesses and diagnoses result in support and nurturing while others result in judgment and blame? Why do we educate, encourage, and promote health care in the manners of prevention, early detection, and treatment for some illnesses but avoid and dismiss diagnoses and treatment for others? Individuals who have mental health illnesses have increased challenges with finding care, having their insurance cover their care, are at increased risk of discrimination for employment and housing, and face challenges with personal relationships due to misunderstandings of their illness. Reality is those who make the choice to seek care demonstrate a level of bravery in which they know the social judgements that may come from getting treatment yet also know they are deserving. My hope for anyone who needs it: Not everyone believes the stigma, You do not suffer in silence, You are worth it, and You are not alone!
Dr. Alison Denil, DNP, MBA, RN
Summit Behavioral Health Wisconsin Market CEO
References:
Ahad, A. A., Sanchez-Gonzalez, M., & Junquera, P. (2023). Understanding and Addressing Mental health stigma across Cultures for Improving Psychiatric Care: A Narrative review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.39549
Kung, S. (2025, May 13). Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477
