Mental health issues, like feeling very sad or anxious, are common among young people. However, many young people don’t talk about their problems because they’re afraid of being judged or not taken seriously. These fears make their problems worse. Understanding this stigma and addressing it is important to help young people feel better.

But what does stigma even mean?

Stigma is when people have negative attitudes or beliefs about something. With mental health, there are three types of stigma:

• Public Stigma, the first type, is when society judges or discriminates against people with mental health issues.

• Self-Stigma is when people with mental health problems believe the negative things said about them.

• Perceived Stigma, the third type, is when someone thinks others will judge them for their mental health problems.

Stigma can stop young people from getting help. They think they should handle everything alone, leading to more severe problems, such as feelings of loneliness and isolation. Not getting the necessary support can also worsen the initial mental health struggle.

You can help break the stigma by talking openly about mental health with your friends. When others see you talking openly about it, they will feel encouraged to do the same, which leads to a normalization of the topic. However, make sure to create a safe space before engaging in mental health conversations.

Additionally, you can fight stigma by pointing out stigmatized language and explaining why it’s harmful or by advocating for better mental health services in schools and communities. Lastly, when someone opens up to you about their mental health, try to be understanding and supportive. Don’t belittle their experiences and feelings, and thank them for trusting you.

In Conclusion, Reducing stigma around mental health is crucial for a healthy society. By creating a supportive environment where you and others can talk openly about their feelings, everyone can benefit. You can contribute to the creation of such a supportive environment by being a role model and addressing mental health in daily conversations. This will further contribute to a world where mental health care is more accessible and less stigmatizing.