According to HHS.gov an estimated 49.5 percent of teens have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, but only half of those teens receive treatment, more than half of teens struggle with mental illness independently, disregarding treatment, and hiding from the world. Mental illnesses can affect thinking processes, behavior choices, changes in emotions or energy, without treatment these medical conditions can affect a person’s relationships, personal and emotional well-being and their contribution towards community.
What’s causing many teens not to seek treatment is the constant stigma/misinformation around mental illness making others scared that they will be treated differently or in a bad way amongst peers. According to psychiatry.org the different types of stigmas against mental illness include “the negative or discriminatory attitudes that others may have about mental illness… internalized shame… policies of government and private organizations, and media portrayals.”
The main cause of stigma on mental illness is spread by mass media, people often portray dramatic and distorted images of mental illness describing them to be dangerous, incriminating, and unpredicted. Labeling someone with mental illness as “crazy” when acts of violence are shown can spread a negative stereotype onto others carrying mental disorders. According to verywellmind.com, all forms of media (television, film, magazines, newspapers, and social media) have been criticized for disseminating negative stereotypes and inaccurate descriptions of those with mental illness.
Adding onto how not only the media but also our generation has portrayed/approached the views of mental health differently than about 10 years ago for example. Mental health has been viewed negatively yet over the past decade, several people have noticed the change in others, becoming willing enough to recognize what mental health really is and that it’s an essential part of one’s being as Nicole Spector says in NBC News. When speaking to Gwendolyn Huete she states, “back in the 50s and 60s mental health wasn’t understood completely and people viewed that something was wrong with them and it was their fault, they didn’t know how to help people and would send them away to asylums, hiding them from society.”
There’s also several methods to comfort someone who is struggling and facing overwhelming obstacles while trying to get help. You can support them and continuously treat them with respect, not only does that help them become more comfortable with you but also it makes it easier for them to cope with the challenges. You could also be a positive influence for them if you feel as if they’re going down the wrong path, this will help them feel equal and having the same opportunities as you will also be easier on their plate. Last but most definitely not least, help them when they ask and if they don’t want help then don’t pressure or make them feel as if they are an outcast.
Kristina Ashby, THS Psychiatrist says that a very tricky part of mental health is that not everyone will be open about their emotions and how they feel easily which is a big challenge, especially since a lot of people who look differently will get stereotyped and bullied based on how they look. For example, if someone who wears a different style of clothes gets stereotyped into a certain category that is usually said to be “depressed” then they will be looked down on. This is extremely difficult on someones daily lifestyle because they wont feel accepted or as if they fit in considering some people refuse to befriend them based on their looks or who they hang out with.
