Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population,

46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. People

struggling with their mental health may be in your family,
live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle
or sit in the same church pew.
However, only half of those affected receive treatment, often
because of the stigma attached to mental health. Untreated,
mental illness can contribute to higher medical expenses,
poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment
opportunities and increased risk of suicide.

What Exactly is a Mental Illness

A mental illness is a physical illness of the brain that causes
disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy or emotion that
make it difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life.
Research is starting to uncover the complicated causes of
these diseases which can include genetics, brain chemistry,
brain structure, experiencing trauma and/or having another
medical condition, like heart disease.

The two most common mental health

conditions are:
Anxiety Disorders – More than 18% of adults each year
struggle with some type of anxiety disorder, including post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD), panic disorder (panic attacks), generalized anxiety
disorder and specific phobias.
Mood Disorders – Mood disorders, such as depression and
bipolar depression, affect nearly 10% of adults each year and are
characterized by difficulties in regulating one’s mood.
Although the general perception of mental illness has improved
over the past decades, studies show that stigma against mental
illness is still powerful, largely due to media stereotypes and
lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative
stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to
other diseases and disabilities, such as cancer, diabetes or heart
disease.
Stigma affects not only the number seeking treatment, but also
the number of resources available for proper treatment. Stigma
and misinformation can feel like overwhelming obstacles for
someone who is struggling with a mental health condition. Here
a few powerful things you can do to help:
 Showing individuals respect and acceptance removes a significant barrier to
successfully coping with their illness. Having people see you as an individual and not as
your illness can make the biggest difference for someone who is struggling with their
mental health.
 Advocating within our circles of influence helps ensure these individuals have the same
rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school and community.
 Learning more about mental health allows us to provide helpful support to those
affected in our families and communities.

Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative

way because of a particular characteristic or attribute,
such as mental illness. When someone treats you in a
negative way because of your mental illness, this is
discrimination.
Why is stigma a concern in mental health?
Some of the harmful effects of stigma can include: Reluctance to seek
help or treatment. Lack of understanding by family, friends, co-
workers or others. Fewer opportunities for work, school or social
activities or trouble finding housing.
What are the 3 types of stigma?
There are three ways stigma can show up: in the public,
internally, and as a stigma-by-association.

What is an example of self-stigma?

Types of Self-Stigma

Alienation: Feeling embarrassed, ashamed, inferior or

disappointed in yourself for being ill. Feeling that your
illness is your fault. Believing mental illness has ruined your
life. Feeling like others are incapable of understanding you.

How do I make an action plan for mental health?

Developing a Wellness Toolbox as Part of a Mental Health Action
Plan

1. eating three healthy meals a day.

2. drinking plenty of water.
3. getting to bed by 10:00 p.m. (or at a good regular time for you)
4. doing something you enjoy-like playing a musical instrument,
watching a favorite TV show, knitting, or reading a good book.

What are the 4 major objectives of the mental health

action plan?
The original four major objectives remain unchanged:
more effective leadership and governance for mental
health; the provision of comprehensive, integrated mental
health and social care services in community-based
settings; implementation of strategies for promotion and
prevention; and strengthened information systems, ...
What is the purpose of mental health action
plan?
The plan will help countries achieve Sustainable
Development Goal target 3.4 – by 2030, reduce by
one third premature deaths from
noncommunicable diseases through prevention
and treatment, and promote mental health and
well-being.