The Impact of Stigma

Understanding the Impact of Stigma

✌️Understanding the impact of stigma in the mental health and substance use disorder world(s).

I posted something the other day. It said “I had a panic attack today etc…”

After I made this post, I had these moments where I thought to myself:

“My goodness Rich … why would you post that ..”.
“What are people gonna think”?
“You’re supposed to be a leader”…
“You’re supposed to have your shit together”..

I was able to recognize these thoughts. And handle it.

Mental Health Struggles

But if that’s what I’m thinking as a provider, an advocate, a person in recovery and a professional in the field…. imagine what people in “regular” professions without the awareness and education think…

I learn about this stuff constantly. And I know that mental health struggles are the rule, not the exception. Yet I still get up in my head.

Maybe it’s just me. And the rest of you have it in check… but I think the stigma around these issue is so strong.

Unconsciously impacting us. Scripts of inferiority running through our minds.

The Same Secrets

The solution, the way I see it, is not a well orchestrated public relations campaign on mental health awareness and/or substance use disorders.

That certainly helps. But the solution is… We all talk about it!!!

It becomes commonplace and routine topic. As they say…

The big secret is. We all have the same secrets.