Even though people rarely talk about it, stigma can affect normal life deeply. If you take a close look, you will see that stigma and prejudice have existed in society for a long time. Both of these elements have created havoc at one point in time. Even though the intensity of stigma has faded with time, it still exists in the society. The problem with stigma is – if not handled with strict care, it can destroy mental health balance and send someone to depression. This is why, it is essential to identify stigma and fight against prejudice at any cost. However, before getting into the discussion of how to combat stigma, let’s have a look at the definition of stigma.

Stigma Defined

Stigma and prejudice both are closely connected. If you simplify the definition, you will understand that stigma refers to the negative attitude towards someone due to some particular attribute or personality trait. In this era of social media, people troll others for simple reasons. From body shaming to age shaming, everything has become a part of this society. People get stigmatized at workplaces because of their age, dress, and lifestyle. Even though stigmatizing happens in a civilized manner, it still affects mental health balance profoundly.     
   

Types of Stigmas

Stigma comes in many forms. If you think that there is only one type of stigma, you are making a big mistake. In this era of cancel culture, stigma has taken many shapes and it affects people in different ways.

Public Stigma: Ever seen anyone getting trolled on social media for behaving in a certain way? It is the finest example of public stigma. This particular prejudice takes place due to the society-certified notion of how things should be. Some people think that they possess the right to judge how others should behave or how they live. The moment they see someone breaking the society-permitted norm, they retaliate. Cancel culture has emerged due to this type of mindset or behavior. A public attack, be it digital or real-time, can have a deep negative effect on mental health.

Self-Stigma: Public stigma and prejudice can lead to self-stigma. Often people begin to accept public prejudice as the correct form of behavior. They begin to think that the public stigma occurred due to their behavioral or characteristic traits. It can be a dangerous perception to adhere to. If not taken care of at the right time self-stigma can cause serious damage to mental health balance.

Perceived Stigma: Some suffer from the notion that society or the people around them will judge them due to some certain personal or behavioral trait. This can be the truth or completely a fragment of imagination. However, perceived stigma can affect people negatively.

Label Avoidance: Countless people deny illness because they fear negative judgments. Avoiding getting treatment for mental health disorders is one of the examples of label avoidance. People automatically fear that others will consider them as mad if they go for mental health treatment.

Associative Stigma: This takes place when people choose to stay with an individual with a particular character trait. Society can behave negatively because of a certain association. This can be emotionally draining and affect mental health severely.

How Stigma Affects Mental Health

You have gained a clear vision of stigma and prejudice from the above discussion. Both of these can affect mental health in negative ways. If you are not aware of the effects of stigma on mental health, consider the below-mentioned list:

1. Social Isolation: Stigma often leads to social isolation as individuals may fear judgment, rejection, or discrimination from others. This isolation can cause feelings of loneliness and contribute to the development or worsening of mental health issues.
2. Reduced Quality of Care: Stigmatizing attitudes within healthcare settings may result in reduced treatment and care for individuals with mental health issues. Healthcare providers may unintentionally behave negatively, leading to a lack of empathy or understanding, and ultimately impacting the overall quality of healthcare.
3. Employment Discrimination: Individuals may encounter discrimination in the workplace, which can lead to job loss, reduced career opportunities, and financial stress. Employment-related stressors can contribute to the development of mental health issues.
4. Negative Impact on Relationships: Stigma can strain relationships, as friends, family, or colleagues may not fully understand or support someone dealing with mental health challenges. This lack of understanding can lead to strained interpersonal dynamics and isolation.
5. Underreporting of Symptoms: Due to fear of judgment or discrimination, individuals may underreport their symptoms or not disclose their mental health struggles to healthcare professionals. This can hinder accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
   
   

When To Seek Professional Help

Often stigma affects mental health balance in such a way that speaking to an expert becomes necessary. If you are battling stigma and think that your mental health cannot carry the burden anymore, you need to speak to a counselor. Look for certain signs that your mental health is under serious pressure:

1. Unwillingness to socialize
2. Lack of self-care
3. Frequent illness
4. Thoughts of hopelessness

Lastly, remember that seeking professional health to restore mental health is not a sign of madness. At times it becomes necessary to seek help from experienced counselors.