“Stigma” is “an attribute that is deeply discrediting and makes the person carrying it different from others and less desirable”. Why is it that having a mental illness, unlike a physical illness, has a stigma? Because there are myths about mental illness that are still prevalent in our society. These myths fall into three categories:
It’s their fault. The first is an assumption that the person is to blame for having a mental illness and therefore should feel ashamed. The truth is that most mental illnesses have organic and genetic origins. While it is true that lifestyle choices can increase or decrease the state of our mental health, that is also true of our physical health. Nevertheless, we ask for prayer for our diabetes, but hesitate to ask for prayer for our depression.
In the faith community, the blame may not be direct, but implied by only offering spiritual solutions, such as have faith, pray, and read your Bible. This advice is wise for all of us, but lacks the “and also” part of a solution. For example, we are not likely to tell someone with a broken leg to read Bible verses, but ignore getting an x-ray or a cast.
Sometimes the blame spills over on to the family of the mentally ill person as well. Suffering is compounded for families when we assume that a person with an organic illness (such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) is a result of poor parenting.
They shouldn’t talk about it. Because there is shame associated with having mental health issues, many communities place added shame on speaking about it. Family members may feel the person is disloyal for revealing family secrets, and some cultures and subgroups have a strong aversion to speaking about emotions.
Faith-based communities may also have an aversion to talking about such things, with the false assumption that too much self-analysis is actually promoting self-centeredness instead of God-centeredness.
They should be avoided. The idea that there are “normal” people and then there are “mentally ill people” creates an “us and them” division, and a tendency to want to avoid “them.” But in reality, “we are they.” At least one in five adults in America experience some form of mental illness each year. If you are not one of those, then someone you love, know or work with is.
We all have emotional responses to life and behavioral habits which may or may not be helpful for our mental health. Most mental illnesses are diagnosed by the degree to which the symptoms disrupt our ability to function. Like physical health, mental health is something that all of us have to a varying degree. On the spectrum, some of us have mental illness which handicaps our ability to function. Others of us have periods of mental health disruptions that come and go and keep us from living well. And a few among us are “mental health athletes” who excel at emotional stability and positive behavioral habits.
Since God is the source of both our physical and mental health, we can turn to Him to give us peace in our hearts and minds. Through His help, we can manage our illnesses, utilizing the best Biblical, scientific and practical resources that He provides.
by Tova Kreps, LCSW, President & Co-Founder
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