The Role of Stigma in Mental Health

May 1

4 min read

Stigma is a demeaning attribute that can profoundly influence whether individuals seek treatment for mental health concerns. It contributes to public stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against those with substance use or mental health disorders, causing harm in numerous ways. Stigma denies individuals rightful opportunities and often deters them from accessing the mental health services they need.

As a major barrier to care-seeking, stigma frequently discourages individuals from pursuing treatment for mental health or substance use issues. In avoiding stigma, they may forgo vital services. Stigma also limits the ability of those struggling with mental health challenges to pursue personal goals. It remains one of the most dangerous obstacles to managing or recovering from mental illness or addiction.

Types of Stigmas

Public Stigma

Public stigma refers to the widespread perception of individuals with mental illness as dangerous, incompetent, or unpredictable. These negative attitudes and beliefs result in fear, avoidance, and discrimination. Public stigma often prevents individuals from seeking professional treatment, fearing the labels and judgment that may follow. Even family members may attempt to conceal their loved ones' struggles to avoid societal shame or embarrassment.

For example, someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be seen as unstable or unreliable at work, regardless of their actual performance. This label can influence promotions, workplace relationships, and long-term career prospects.

Families often wrestle with the decision to share their loved one’s mental health challenges, worried about gossip, exclusion from community events, or judgment in religious or cultural circles.

Self-Stigma

Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize the negative stereotypes and beliefs held by society. As a result, they may see themselves as flawed, dangerous, or to blame for their condition. This internalization undermines their self-esteem and self-efficacy, diminishing their personal empowerment and overall life satisfaction.

Imagine a young adult coping with anxiety who begins to believe they’re weak or a burden to others simply because they need support. Over time, this internal dialogue can lead them to withdraw socially, refuse treatment, or stop applying for jobs, believing they’re undeserving or incapable of success.

Structural Stigma

Structural stigma arises when stereotypes are embedded in laws, policies, and institutional practices. These systemic barriers reduce opportunities for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, intentionally or not.

For instance, job applications that require disclosure of mental health diagnoses may discourage qualified individuals from applying, fearing automatic disqualification. College admissions may subtly penalize those with a history of mental health treatment, especially if gaps in academic performance are not understood in context. Even housing policies can create obstacles, with some landlords rejecting applicants with past psychiatric hospitalization records. Structural stigma, shaped by sociopolitical forces, perpetuates exclusion and restricts upward mobility, making recovery not just a personal journey but a systemic battle.

Label Avoidance

Label avoidance describes the decision to avoid seeking mental health care to escape being categorized with a stigmatizing label. This form of stigma is particularly damaging, as it reflects the perception that society will reject or discriminate against those who seek help.

Consider a teenager struggling with depression who refuses to see a counselor at school for fear that peers will find out. They may smile through pain in public while suffering silently in private. Or a professional in a high-stress job who avoids therapy, afraid that colleagues will view them as “unstable” or “unfit” for leadership.

Individuals with concealable stigmas—such as those in the LGBTQIA+ community, minority faith groups, or those battling mental health or substance use disorders—may choose to hide their identity or avoid mental health services altogether. For example, someone seen exiting a therapist’s office might be labeled as “crazy” or “weak,” prompting others to avoid care entirely to dodge this kind of labeling.

Moving Beyond Stigma

These realities do not have to remain. Stigma is not an inevitable part of society. It is a product of fear, misinformation, and judgment. It can be unlearned. Reducing stigma makes space for inclusion, dignity, and the empowerment necessary to live well.

To combat stigma, we must foster open, honest conversations about mental health and addiction. Education is vital in reshaping public attitudes. The more people understand the realities of mental illness and recovery, the less stigma holds sway.

If you’re someone living with mental health challenges, know that your experience matters and that healing is possible. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You deserve compassion, not judgment. Encouraging individuals to seek help without fear—and reforming systems to ensure privacy and equity—are essential steps. Employers, schools, healthcare systems, and policymakers must come together to protect dignity and expand access. Family members, professionals, educators, and community leaders all have a role in building supportive, stigma-free environments. Through advocacy, policy change, and compassionate dialogue, we can dismantle harmful stereotypes and foster healing.