Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, yet it is often stigmatized and misunderstood. Individuals, families, and society as a whole face the challenges and stigma associated with mental health issues.
The stigma surrounding mental health and psychosocial support has long been a barrier to individuals seeking the help and care they need. This stigma can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and reluctance to reach out for support. On a larger scale, it perpetuates a culture of silence and a lack of understanding around mental health issues, which makes nearly 50% of people with mental illness not get help for their disorders.
Nevertheless, there is hope for change. By addressing stigma head-on and promoting open dialogue, we can create an environment that supports and embraces mental health and psychosocial wellbeing while protecting individuals from anxiety and depression. This, in addition to providing psychosocial support, is a crucial component to fostering a healthy society, promoting overall wellbeing, and improving societal attitudes towards mental illness.
What is the role of mental health counselors in addressing stigma?
Mental health counseling is a vital profession, as it plays a crucial role in supporting individuals who are struggling with mental health issues and promoting their overall wellbeing. With the growing recognition of the importance of mental wellbeing, the demand for qualified mental health professionals is on the rise. Pursuing a careerin this field and other subfields of psychology allows individuals to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to provide support and guidance to those struggling with mental health issues.
Those who are passionate about helping others and interested in pursuing a career in mental health counseling can enroll ina mental health counselor degree online program at an accredited institution like the American International College. The comprehensive program prepares students to become licensed mental health counselors. With a curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, graduates are equipped with the skills and qualifications necessary to make a meaningful impact in the field.
Key facts on stigma
Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination are pervasive issues that have a profound impact on individuals and communities, leading to social exclusion, inequality, and injustice. They are unfortunate realities that many people face in various aspects of life. These harmful attitudes and behaviors create barriers and exclude certain groups from accessing opportunities and resources.
Stigma is a fruit of fear and a lack of understanding, which can result from misleading or inaccurate media representations of mental illness. According to a recent studyon stigma by The Lancet, mental illness is still viewed negatively, despite the fact that the genetic or medical nature of mental health disorders, as well as the need for treatment, is well accepted by the public.
There exist three key types of stigma, namely:
- Public stigma:The prejudice or discrimination that stems from people’s attitudes or beliefs and is directed at those who have a mental illness.
- Self-stigma:Also called internalized stigma, affects individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and are derogatory towards their own identity.
- Institutional stigma:This is a stigma that affects services aimed at addressing mental health problems, which may lead to poor implementation of policies or practices in the medical sector.
How counselors work to address mental health on different layers
Mental health is a complex and multi-faceted issue that affects individuals, families, and society as a whole. Addressing mental health requires a comprehensive andlayered approach to promote mental wellbeing and provide support and guidance. By working on different layers, counselors can address the unique needs and dynamics of each level. Whether it is providing individual therapy, facilitating family sessions, or advocating for systemic change, counselors are at the forefront of promoting mental wellbeing and fostering healthier communities. Let’s discuss this in more detail…
Family
Family counseling offers a unique opportunity for families to work together to support and nurture one another. Family therapy can help achieve their goals by addressing the different components of mental health and helping individuals and families to make healthy choices. The goal of these sessions is to promote emotional intelligence, relationship maintenance, and overall wellbeing. Some of the techniques used by mental health counselors in family therapy include:
- Systemic-motivational therapy: The technique aims to help family members realize the impact of their actions on each other and on the wellbeing of the entire family. It also helps them learn how to restore healthy dynamics and improve communication.
- Psychoeducation: This approach allows individuals, families, and caregivers to become more aware of the mental health system and its mechanisms in order to better navigate their lives.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is an effective form of therapy that helps individuals identify unhealthy patterns in behavior and take steps to make necessary changes. It can also help individuals cope with social and emotional challenges, which often arise as a result of mental health issues.
Individual
Individual counseling approaches are designed and developed to address the unique needs of every person. The common issues addressed by these tailored services include the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Adjustment to major life changes such as divorce, college, or a new job.
- Personality disorders such as stress management issues (work-related stress, family or relationship issues) or substance abuse.
Community
Counselors work with individuals and members of their communities to foster a healthy environment, support, and promote wellbeing. Community-based approaches enable counselors to reach a larger range of people and expand their reach. Community-based work includes providing counseling services in public awareness campaigns, collaborating with community organizations, and even infiltrating local mental health service delivery systems. As a result, counselors can offer support to a greater number of people and address the complex issues that communities face.
The vital role of mental health counselors
The stigma associated with mental health has negative consequences on the lives of millions of people suffering from mental illness. By creating an environment that allows for open and honest conversation, we can ultimately improve societal attitudes toward mental illness and create environments where individuals are supported in their journey to recovery.
Mental health counselors play the role of bridging the gap between individuals, families, and communities as theyhelp them find long-term solutions and achieve their full potential. They are also instrumental in shaping public policy that can benefit vulnerable or marginalized groups and help them live fulfilling lives.