Breaking the Stigma: Nurturing Mental Health Awareness in Austin
Anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder are just a few mental illnesses affecting individuals nationwide. You or someone you know has likely received one of these diagnoses or struggled with their mental health. Let’s look closer at mental health awareness statistics.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in five Americans undergoes a mental health condition yearly, while one in 20 has a serious illness. A more troubling number is the over 45,000 individuals who commit suicide annually, most being those with mental illnesses and stigma.
At Friends of Austin State Hospital, our volunteer team wishes to break down the word “stigma” before showing you how to break the ideas behind it.
What Causes Stigmas?
Sometimes, the cultural and religious stories elders pass down through the generations create negatively impactful myths that lead to stigmas, especially since these misconceptions date back centuries. Other times, people develop inaccurate ideas by observing others in their social sphere. Whatever the cause, misconceptions falsely label, discriminate against, and exclude marginalized groups and individuals within them.
These stigmas make it to the modern day because many hold on to the idea that those with mental illnesses are:
- Dangerous, leading individuals to feel unsafe and fear associating with them
- Incapable of certain activities or understandings, which leads to exclusion
- Simply not trying hard enough to overcome their issues
What Do Stigmas Cause?
Too often, landlords or employers refuse to accept those with mental illnesses, fearing they’ll become violent. However, those with mental conditions are no more likely to commit a crime than the average person, with a mere 3% to 5% of violent acts occurring at the hands of the former. The incorrect stigma takes precedence, affecting how individuals with healthy mental well-being treat those who are not.
When those with mental conditions notice this discrimination, they choose to hide their health to keep from feeling ostracized, which usually results in avoiding getting the help they need. Unfortunately, without mental health awareness, many problems become life-threatening.
What Can We Do To Break Away From Stigmas?
Debunking myths is the first step in stigma reduction. That includes undergoing mental health education with thorough research, especially on conditions you notice in the people around you, such as coworkers, family members, or neighbors.
According to LinkedIn, you should then:
- Show empathy and compassion by actively listening to increase emotional resilience.
- Reach out to elected officials, your employer, or your building owner and discuss how to prioritize mental health.
- Create posters, support networks, and fundraisers to raise awareness.
Being a Friend Starts With Reaching Out!
For over 70 years, Friends of Austin State Hospital’s dedicated team has worked tirelessly to bring those with physical, mental, and emotional ailments the peace of mind we all deserve. With the help of volunteers and the members of Friends of A.S.H, this mission can go farther and bring more support and awareness where it’s needed. That journey begins with people like you, contact us to learn more about mental health awareness or donate to our cause. You can also join our Austin, Texas, team by calling
512-419-2333!
