Why is there a lack of understanding regarding mental illness in India? Why is only 0.06% of the country’s health budget directed towards mental healthcare? Why do a majority of Indians hesitate while seeking a psychiatrist’s help? Why do people still speak in hushed tones and exchange nervous glances while talking about mental health?
The answers to all these questions inevitably highlight one phenomenon- stigma.When speaking of mental illness, the first thought that crosses the mind of an average Indian is- log kya kahenge?
The stigma surrounding mental illness is perhaps the biggest impediment to its cure.”Stigma” is derived from the Greek word “steizen” which means tattooing or branding and this is exactly what stigma does. The stigma associated with mental health can be social/public or self-perceived. Social or public stigma refers to prejudicial attitudes and discriminating behaviour directed towards individuals having mental health problems.
Mental health problems are trivialized and people who open up about them are told to “be positive” or “sleep it off”. Toxic masculinity starts coming into the picture, wherein men who dare to open up about their mental health are told not to be weak and to start acting like real men.Stigmatised persons internalise perceived prejudices and develop negative feelings about themselves, giving rise to self-perceived stigma or self-stigma. This holds them back from seeking help and leads to isolation, shame and poor self-esteem.
As individuals refrain from seeking help, their symptoms worsen and they have to cope with both the illness as well as the stigma that it entails. The need of the hour, therefore, is to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness and to normalise the idea of seeking help. This can be achieved by debunking the myths and misconceptions associated with mental illness. People who are suffering from depression are often viewed as attention seekers who are lazy and weak. Research however, shows that depression has nothing to do with laziness and weakness.
This brings us to our next step, which is to increase awareness. A lot of people still believe that eating disorders and substance abuse are self-inflicted. The lack of awareness also makes us turn towards mental health roles and images portrayed in books, films and media which provide false or inaccurate representations of mental health. In order to overthrow the myths surrounding mental health, we must first open up our mind. Mental illness can be cured, but the stigma surrounding it cannot be cured.