Is stigma stopping you from trying therapy?

All too often, stigma surrounding mental health stops people from getting the support they need and deserve.

Stigma is rooted in ignorance and outdated judgments about mental health. Its effects can be subtle, yet dangerous. On an individual level, it can be extremely problematic, as it can lead to a narrative in which we routinely dismiss our own needs.

The effects of stigma

• Some people who are considering going to therapy find themselves having thoughts like:
• What if people find out I see a therapist and think I’m crazy?
• What if the therapist thinks I’m crazy?
• What if I get emotional and embarrass myself in front of my therapist?
• I’m an adult and so I should be able to handle my feelings on my own without the help of a therapist.
• Nobody cares that I feel like this.
• Why can’t I just be happy with my life?
• How selfish am I that I need to go and talk about my relatively small problems when there is real suffering such as global social issues in the world?

From people in their lives, they may also be hearing statements like:

• “You'll be fine, just get over it.”
• “Other people have it much worse than you.”
• “People like us don't need therapy.”
• “You just need to relax and stop worrying.”
• “You don't need therapy, you just need to get past this major project at work, go shopping, start exercising, have a drink, stop procrastinating, etc.”

If you’ve experienced any of the above, then you’ve experienced the effects of stigma.

Seeking support

If it’s mainly thoughts like these that are holding you back from seeking support, we encourage you to learn more, reach out to someone you trust, or reach out to someone anonymously Consider that almost everyone who sees a therapist – and even those who work in the mental health field – has experienced the effects of stigma to some degree.

Though beliefs about mental health and its importance have slowly started to shift, turning conversations away from stigma and reorienting towards the positive effects of therapy, there’s still a lot of work to be done. If others’ judgments are holding you back, remember that they can stem from a lack of understanding, rather than information based on facts.

Accepting and recognizing your own needs, seeking the right support, and sharing some of your personal experiences with others can go a long way in making a positive difference.

This article is brought to you by Maple in partnership with Shift Collab.