As many as 1 in 3 of us will be affected by mental health issues - all of the famous people in the image above have been affected. Of those who are, 2 out of 3 will never ask for help. It’s time to end the stigma towards mental issues. To do that, we need to start talking - we cannot afford to avoid the conversation any longer, because this is something that affects all of us. No one should be left to struggle in silence.
Many groups are trying to start the conversation - like #BellLetsTalk (a Social Media campaign started by Bell Canada), #StrongerThanStigma (by Bring Change 2 Mind) and #TimetoTalk (by Time to Change, led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness). It’s important that you join the conversation and take the time to learn more about Mental Issues and Mental Health. It could literally save someone’s life.
The conversation isn’t half as scary as you think!
If you found out that your friend had surgery over the weekend, your first thought would be to ask how they were and if there was anything you could do for them. When you hear that your friend, family member or co-worker has a mental health problem, ask the same questions! The reality is that anyone can experience mental health issues - and your being able to talk about it is important!
Just letting a friend or co-worker know that you are thinking of them and are available to talk if or when they would like to, makes a big difference. Often times, just knowing that someone cares enough to reach out helps.
“Over the past thirty years, the rate of suicide among men has been three to four times that of women. Traditionally, however, men have shied away from talking about their feelings as it is viewed as negative and weak. In addition to a reluctance to seek help, men have higher levels of isolation, and of drug and alcohol misuse; are at a greater risk for homelessness; display more externalized and destructive behaviors; and are more involved with the criminal justice system.” (Bring Change 2 Mind)
Don’t feel like you have to talk about “the Issue” - just talk to your friend. After all, no one wants to be defined by a disease. But if your friend wants to talk about it, don’t brush them off. It can be quite difficult for one to admit that things aren’t OK in the first place - if they are asking you for help, offer what you can and if it goes beyond what you know or are comfortable with, educate yourself on what help is available.
Two-thirds of people living with a mental illness do not seek help because they fear the stigma.
According to Time-to-Change “Mental health problems are common - but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This can be even worse than the symptoms themselves.” The WHO calls stigma the “hidden burden” of mental illness.
The stigma of mental issues is not limited to specific countries or cultures, it is a worldwide issue.
“Every 40 seconds a person dies by suicide somewhere in the world.” (WHO).
We must reduce the stigma and increase the tolerance and acceptance of getting help to improve that statistic.
Treat everyone with respect
It’s easy to say things like “Cheer up” or “Pull yourself together” - but it doesn’t help. Try to stay open minded, relaxed and non-judgemental. Be warm and caring. Listening is more important than understanding at this point! Keep body language in mind too - watching the time on your phone or the door for a quick escape will be noticed!
Most of all, keep doing things that you would have always done with your friend! Go for dinner, coffee or to a movie. Chat about the dog, the kids or the partners - just as you always would. When they want to talk about what is bothering them, open your ears and close your lips. This is not the time for advice, but instead to be a sounding board.
No one wants to be defined by their disease. Try to use respectful and empowering language. Phrases like “a person with a mental illness” is far more respectful than “mentally ill”. Even words like “victim” or “sufferer” takes the control of the disease away from the person who has it.
Obviously, words like “Crazy”, “Wacko” or “Lunatic” should be left back in the decade they came from. With 1 in 4 people likely to experience mental illness at some point in their life, we should ensure we use compassionate terms - if nothing else, it might be a term used to describe you someday - and how comfortable would that be for you?
Challenge stigma when you can
An interesting statistic came out from the Canadian Medical Association - Only 49% of Canadians said they would socialize with a friend who has a serious mental illness. You can make a difference by not only being one of that 49% but in encouraging others to look again at their own views of mental issues.
Michael Landsberg, a well known Canadian Sports Journalist, started the #sicknotweak hashtag to help others who, like him, deal with Depression and Anxiety. Beyond that, he wanted to help men open up about these issues. #Sicknotweak helps challenge the stigma 365 days a year.
Men have measurably lower access to the social support of friends, relatives and community (References: R. Boreham and D. Pevalin).
#StrongerThanStigma features four inspirational men who are working to end the stigma of mental illness. Brandon Marshall (NFL), Ben Scrivens (NHL), Michael Angelakos (lead singer), and Wayne Brady (comedian and actor) share their own “his stories” and encourage men to start the conversation and end the stigma.
Learn Facts about mental health and mental issues
Some interesting facts have been shared over Twitter and Facebook and in many of the Bell Let’s Talk workshops going on today. Here are a few to put mental illness into perspective on the prevalence, the emotional and financial costs and why it is so important to end the stigma and help those who are struggling:
On any given week, more than 500,000 Canadians will not go to work because of mental illness. (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
In the United States, people with severe mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population on average. (Time) In Denmark, the life expectancy gap has been shown to be as high as 18.7 years with certain disorders. (Psychiatric News) And the differential in life expectancy is believed to be even wider in developing countries.
Mental health problems and illnesses also account for more than $6 billion in lost productivity costs due to absenteeism and presenteeism. (The Mental Health Commission of Canada)
In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. (WHO) More than 90% of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder. (NIH)
More than 30% of disability claims and 70% of disability costs are attributed to mental illness. (The Mental Health Commission of Canada)
Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities. (CMHA)
Everyone knows the importance of First Aid training, but did you know that there are also Mental Health First Aid Courses that are equally important? MHFA was developed in Australia in 2000 and is now recognized in at least 23 countries. These courses teach people how to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues, provide help on a first aid basis and effectively guide those towards the right support services. Now MHFA courses are available in many countries like Canada, the U.S. and the U.K.
Thanks for joining the conversation with us today!
There is no need to suffer in silence. If you feel like you are in a crisis situation, reach out - to a friend, a family member, a doctor or a local crisis line. If this is an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency line.
Best of wishes from the Accredible team.
