Opinion: CEO of Shine Nicola Byrne says the more we discuss mental illness openly, the less stigma we will see...
IN RECENT YEARS, society has made significant strides in destigmatising mental health issues. There is more discussion than ever around mental health and strong promotion of mental wellness. However, we still need to address the elephant in the room. And that is the term “mental illness”.
Culture of fear Recent research undertaken by Shine’s See Change Programme tells us that almost three-quarters of people say they would not want to live with someone with a severe and enduring mental illness, despite the majority saying they don’t know what a severe and enduring mental illness is. They found that while the overwhelming majority of articles avoided reinforcing stigma, very few articles actively challenged negative public perceptions. Only 12% provided information that confronted stereotypes, fewer than 3% included a contribution from someone with lived experience, and just 5% supplied a signpost to relevant support services.It is an illness Using the term “mental illness” challenges harmful stereotypes and misconceptions.
Shifting the conversation toward mental illness will propel us to take meaningful action. By openly discussing mental illness, we can generate awareness about available resources, options, and support networks. It would also encourage policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to allocate the resources needed to address the mental health crisis more effectively.
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