Mental Health, diagnosis, counselling and support. These are all terms widely used in this day and age. They’re in all our lexicons, and strides have been made to make these terms more acceptable. However, for some of us, there can still be an element of shame or discomfort when faced with the thought that we might be experiencing mental ill-health.
Now, we know this is a challenging topic to discuss and read about. Equally, detailing my battles with mental health has been confronting – but also cathartic. So, even though some of these themes may seem bleak, I promise there’s an air of optimism, positivity, and silver lining (at least, somewhere within my wording).
I know when I look at my mental health journey, it hasn’t been the most linear process. Each day is different. Sometimes there are ups. Sometimes there are downs. But acting on your feelings and not letting them build up until they pervade your entire existence is key. I’m not trying to be hyperbolic, but sometimes, when faced with a mental health condition, it can feel all-consuming.
Why A Mental Health Diagnosis Doesn’t Define You
Stress. Anxiety. Depression. Many of us may experience these disorders, whether they’re minor or severe. Regardless of where you sit on the mental health spectrum, seeking support is the only way forward. Suppressing your feelings and not acting can lead to significant repercussions. Health Direct explains that hiding your emotions may increase feelings of isolation and may exacerbate mental health issues.
”"A diagnosis is a call to action, not your identity"
Cate Page, Chief Clinical Officer, Converge
This quote from our brilliant CCO rings true. When I look back on my journey, I buried how I felt for many years. I thought I wasn’t allowed to feel how I felt because I had a good childhood, a good job, and loving relationships. Yet, that’s not the case. Mental health does not discriminate. Anyone and everyone can succumb to the mental health gremlins that wiggle their way into your mind. That’s when I pushed myself to seek a diagnosis.
It was a confronting experience. Hearing that there’s something wrong wasn’t the best news to receive on a brisk Saturday morning. However, it was the first step to finding myself again. But that was just the beginning. I needed to act on my diagnosis, realise that it doesn’t define me, and then seek support. And I’m glad to say that as a result, I’ve found that healthier me. It’s an uphill battle with many twists and turns. And honestly, it’ll be the same for most of you. But that action was the first step to recovery.
Breaking Down Mental Health Stigmas
Stigmatisation and discrimination are bells that toll for those who feel some form of mental ill-health. As a male, I’ve experienced a range of stigmas in my journey: “Boys don’t cry”, “Keep calm and carry on”, and “What have you got to cry about?” This rhetoric really stagnated my mental health journey. Why? Because I thought they were true. That’s one of the most significant problems with stigmas: we’re made to believe them.
Even if we tell ourselves they’re not true, it’s hard to shake their clutches. We all have that little voice in our heads. For people with mental health issues, that voice can be our worst enemy. You may have been in this boat where that voice tells us we’re weak, pathetic, and dishonest. Stigmatisation can result in significant challenges for those experiencing mental health issues.
Types Of Stigmas People Face
Here are some of the types of stigmas people face:
- Public stigmas: This form of stigmatisation can manifest as bullying, exclusion, and discrimination at work, school and in social settings. These negative behaviours and beliefs can be highly damaging.
- Institutional stigmas: These stigmas can look like negative policies, biases, cultural norms, and organisational practices. You can see institutional stigmas in the workplace, where you feel that your disability, mental health disorder, or something entirely different is holding you back, so you continue hiding them.
- Perceived stigmas: These stigmas are the beliefs others hold and are built on social foundations. If the media, social media, and other avenues of content tell us a mental illness isn’t real or not as bad as people are making it out to be, then those around us are influenced to believe them. We may then feel labelled and less inclined to find support.
As a result of all the above, Health Direct says people with mental illnesses who experience stigmatisation can feel discriminated against, bullied, excluded, isolated, unworthy, and victimised.
How To Overcome Stigmatisation
This is definitely easier said than done. Sadly, it took me a long time to overcome the internal stigma battle. Intrinsically, I still combat self-thoughts created by stigmas, but it does get easier over time, especially if you practice techniques to keep these thoughts at bay.
Like many of you reading this, I still get impostor syndrome and question my self-worth. But I know these thoughts are those pesky gremlins wreaking havoc. It’s not an easy road, but the juice is worth the squeeze here. It’s definitely worth putting the work in. So, how do we overcome stigmatisation?
- Challenge your thoughts: If those thoughts are creeping in, challenge them. Tell yourself they’re untrue. Say: “I am worthy, and I do deserve happiness.”
- Question everything: If you’re having these thoughts, question them. Ask why they’re there. Ask if they’re true and dissect each granular detail. You’ll almost always find that these thoughts are unwarranted and based on a stigma.
- Take some time to relax: A self-care strategy may sound cloying, but it honestly works. Go for a walk or a run, paint, draw, meditate, breathe, or have a bath or shower. Take some time to do something you enjoy. This will take your mind off those thoughts and give you a hit of much-needed dopamine.
- Talk to someone: Talking about how you feel is one of the most critical aspects of your journey. Unfortunately, you can’t put a cast or band-aid on mental health. It’s not like a physical ailment. But talking about how you feel with a friend, family member, an EAP (such as Converge), a GP, or a psychologist helps! This is a crucial element of your mental health journey, and it’s the best step towards recovery.
Why Taking Action Is Worth It
Once I finally took the leap and saw a GP (which I can safely say was one of my biggest hurdles), I finally found out what was happening. Anxiety, depression – the whole shebang. I was always a nervous person, but resting on my laurels and dismissing these feelings made things worse – more than I could have imagined.
Originally, I thought the GP would be dismissive and tell me I’m fine. But I was wrong. They were lovely and had my best interests at heart, and I finally received that all-important mental health plan. But that was the first step.
We’ve all heard the first testament of the AA 12-step program: we must admit and acknowledge that there is a problem. It’s in all the movies. However, receiving a diagnosis is futile without subsequent action. We can also feel this cauldron of emotions, like our diagnosis is our personality. But it’s not. Our identity is not built on the foundations of our mental health. It’s quite the opposite. So, taking the next leap of faith and acting on your diagnosis could be considered the most crucial step towards recovery.
Taking action can help you:
- Reduce stigmas and increase your internal awareness
- Give you a sense of purpose and meaning in life
- Help you build stronger relationships
- Help you overcome your feelings and illness
- Improve your coping skills
- Help you navigate the turbulent times effectively
Finding Support Is Easier Than You Think
If you’ve experienced or are experiencing mental ill-health, support is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Visit your GP or seek support from a psychologist. Or, if Converge is your workplace wellbeing provider, get support from one of our 1,800 expert consultants—free and confidentially. Take it from me: suffering in silence is never the answer. Remember, your mental illness does not define you; take action today and find yourself again!
