Mental illnesses are more common than people usually think they are because not everyone goes out to receive treatment. The stigma associated with mental health conditions is so strong that people prefer to stay away from seeking recovery interventions for decades.

Let alone in developing countries where social stigma associated with mental illnesses can have far-reaching impacts, even a developed country like the United States is not immune to its effects. According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), one in every five adults (43.8 million people) in the country suffered from mental illnesses in the past year. The figures pertaining to the youth are even more grim with one in five teens aged 13–18 years experiencing a severe mental disorder at some point during their life.

People fear of being ostracized because of their psychological disorders and+ this prevents them from sharing their problems with their clinicians and from seeking treatment. A positive development in this area is that there is a growing movement in the world to quell myths attached to mental health conditions and obliterate the stigma associated with them. Experts believe that dissipating stigmas associated with mental conditions would significantly improve situations for patients and lay the foundation for better and accessible treatment programs.

“Mental illness is much like cancer 75 years ago, because it’s scary and unpredictable. And because it’s still mysterious, people want to keep their distance,” said Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D., vice chair for psychology in the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He is also a part of the global movement to dispel misconceptions about mental health conditions.

These torchbearers are not only fighting hard to educate people to come out for treatment, they are also pushing for policy changes. They are appealing to people to look at mental conditions through the prism of neuroscience and to consider them just like any other biological condition.

Self-stigma is another problem

Apart from the social stigma, people also suffer from self-stigma which is equally harmful to those suffering from mental conditions. “There is a high degree of what is called self-stigma, which involves people taking on and internalizing the attributes of societal stereotypes,” said Hinshaw.

Researches predict that a person suffering from high level of self-stigma refrain from seeking treatment or they drop out early from treatment. Social stigma related to mental conditions forces those suffering from the problems to stay away from targeted therapeutic interventions for long due to self-stigmatization of the mental conditions. Thus, the symptoms are never addressed that just worsen over time.

However, Americans are now more open towards mental health conditions as basic education about psychology is being imparted in schools and the media has also been playing a responsible role in coaxing people out of any stigma linked to mental conditions. Open debates about psychological conditions and treatments are encouraging patients to look at treatment with a new approach.

Shortage of mental health services compounds problem

The stigmatized sufferers further retreat to their shell due to a shortfall of mental health services. Delayed treatment only exacerbates the conditions and complicates the treatment procedure later. There are many mental illnesses which deteriorate if not intervened at the earliest. Managing them at a later stage becomes more difficult. Hence, it is advisable to seek early treatment for any psychological condition.

Recovery road map

If a loved one is suffering from any mental health condition, contact the Sovereign Mental Health Services, a leading organization providing treatment for mental health and substance abuse problems. Call at our 24/7 helpline number 866–954–0529 for an immediate assistance. Whether you are looking for depression treatment in Los Angeles or any of the depression treatment centers in California, treatment here is always comprehensive ensuring long-term recovery.