What harm does stigma cause??
Humiliation often causes people to overlook their depression, anxiety, fears or anger. Lack of education and knowledge about mental illness causes feelings of failure and loss of self-esteem Stigma makes you think that perhaps your problem will just “go away.” The reality is, the feelings will not magically disappear. When the next bout occurs, it will very likely be worse. If you feel depressed or anxious, it’s not because you’re weak-minded. It simply means you have a condition – a very treatable, curable condition. You’re apprehensive because you don’t know what to do to help yourself. It’s the lack of education and knowledge about mental illness that causes feelings of failure and loss of self-esteem. People are treatment-shy because they don’t want psychological problems on their records. Yet, most would not hesitate going for help for a physical condition. It is bad enough when individuals don’t want to go for help, but a thousand times worse when they’re held back by a relative
