Overcoming Stigma Of Mental Health

When you get injured, the natural response is to ask for help because you want to feel better. However, if an individual is struggling with internal pain, anxiety, depression, or loneliness, or they believe that others will judge them harshly for their mental illness, they may hesitate to seek help in the same way they would for a physical injury. Unfortunately, this is the case for many people who suffer from mental health issues. Dr. Joel Kuppersmith is a psychologist in Huntington NY who would like to discuss some ways to overcome the mental health stigma. Continue reading to learn more. 

Overcoming Stigma of Mental Health

There are so many reasons people don’t ask for help. Many worry about what others think or believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Messages people receive from their culture, the media, others, and themselves can cause so much worry and hinder their recovery. The stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness is real. There are negative beliefs and attitudes toward people who struggle with mental illness. This stigma is harmful and affects those with a mental illness and their loved ones. Our psychologist in Huntington NY offers some ways you can overcome the mental health stigma and focus on your health:

• Seek Help – The most important thing you can do is seek treatment for your condition or encourage others to do so. Just like if you got sick, you’d schedule a doctor’s appointment to get better. Do not let the fear of being labeled stop you or those you love from getting help. 
• Don’t Buy Into the Mental Health Stigma – Many people believe that mental health issues are a sign of weakness and that you should be able to control them without help. You may treat yourself harshly because of this stigma. Seeking help, being kind to yourself, and finding support can help you overcome this destructive stigma. 
• Choose your Language Carefully – Mental health issues are only part of a person, and you cannot be defined by one aspect of yourself. Changing your language to separate a person from their mental illness is essential, as words can be cutting. Being kind to yourself can be challenging. A psychologist in Huntington NY can help you achieve self-compassion. 

Contact Our Psychologist in Huntington NY

If you are struggling with mental health issues, our psychologist in Huntington NY wants you to know that you are not alone. The stigma surrounding mental health is incredibly harmful, but there are many ways to overcome this and find support. Speaking up and educating yourself and others can reduce the stigma and give others courage to seek help. If you are in need of support, Dr. Joel Kuppersmith is here to help. Be sure to contact us today to request an appointment and get started on your journey toward healing.