The Stigma

     The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly half of Americans will suffer from some form of mental illness in their life time, and of those tens of millions of people, only about half will seek treatment. That’s an alarming number especially when you consider that their statistic is only referring to those with diagnosable DSM V issues. That statistic skyrockets when you include the number of people who suffer through general or short-term life events that don’t get diagnosed or aren’t considered mental illnesses. If you change the criteria to include everyone who could benefit from seeing a mental health professional at some point in their lives, the graph undoubtedly tops out at nearly everyone.

    Human beings are complex creatures, with multiple components that make up an integrated system, much like a computer. 

Monitor, drivers, hard drive, operating system, keyboard, and a good wifi signal; all with unique jobs and equally as important as the others. If any of those components ceases to operate then the entire system is broken. Sure, there might be some workarounds, but they are less than optimal and eventually frustrate the user.

      Metaphorically, you and I are not much different than computers in that we have smaller parts that work together to make up a whole. Our human systems can be broken down into three categories: mental, physical, and spiritual, and the state of being unhealthy happens when one of these is out of balance with the others.

      When our physical self is out of balance, we see a doctor or surgeon. When our spiritual self is out of balance, we see whatever guru we subscribe to. Why is it that when our mental or psychological self is out of balance, we attach some negative stigma to seeing a mental health professional like a counselor, psychiatrist, or therapist? Psychological issues are often genetic and getting in a rut mentally is often caused by environmental stressors beyond our control. In simpler terms, mental health issues are no more under our control than catching the flu or spraining your ankle on the stairs. None of these things should be looked at as a sign of weakness in a person.

      We all go through struggles, and there is no shame is seeking help. In America, the divorce rate is around 50%, mass shootings are a common occurrence in the news, and the psychological pharmaceutical industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Whether you are experiencing common life adjustments, major psychological illness, or dependency on medication to get through the day, you are not alone. A mental health professional can help you deal with stress, communicate effectively with your family, forgive someone so you can put down that heavy burden of anger, heal from issues instead of numbing them, or maybe just help you reframe the negative perspectives you’ve developed into more healthy and positive ones. Don’t let unwarranted stigmas prevent you from getting the help you need, or maybe just want, today.

Take an honest assessment of yourself right now. What is something in your life that you could change to be a better version of yourself? Is it a physical ailment? A spiritual struggle? Or a psychological issue you need to process and deal with? Do yourself a favor and contact a doctor, guru, psychiatrist, surgeon, preacher, counselor, or whomever you need to start working toward a more joyful life. There’s no time like right now to start the journey.