As World Mental Health Day approaches, it’s crucial to shine a spotlight on the stigmas that continue to plague discussions around mental health. Despite increasing awareness and advocacy, many misconceptions persist, often preventing individuals from seeking the help they need.
In honor of World Mental Health Day, we’ve gathered insights from mental health professionals, advocates, and those with lived experience. Together, they highlight eight key mental health stigmas that need addressing and share how we can work to overcome them.
1. Therapy Is Not a Sign of Weakness
A widespread misconception is that seeking therapy signals weakness or brokenness. This view persists across various cultures, creating barriers to much-needed mental health support.
Dr. Brooke Keels, Chief Clinical Officer at Lighthouse Recovery, emphasizes the importance of dismantling this myth. “Reaching out for help is one of the strongest things you can do,” she says. “By openly sharing our positive experiences with therapy, we can help normalize it as a useful and life-changing tool.”
As more people openly discuss their experiences, it becomes easier to view therapy not as a last resort but as a powerful step toward healing and personal growth.
2. Faith and Professional Help Can Coexist
In certain communities, there’s a belief that relying on mental health treatments such as therapy or medication undermines religious faith. This misconception can prevent individuals from seeking essential help.
Jacob Coyne, founder of the U.S. suicide-prevention organization Stay Here, urges religious groups to see mental health issues as medical concerns. “Many feel that relying on medication or therapy shows a lack of trust in God,” he says. “But in reality, combining faith with professional support can provide holistic healing.”
Raising awareness and educating faith communities about mental health can break down this barrier, helping individuals access the care they need.
3. Suicidal Ideation Deserves Compassion, Not Judgment
Few mental health topics are as stigmatized as suicidal ideation. Rather than addressing the condition with empathy, it’s often met with fear, ignorance, and judgment.
Kirsten Hartz, a therapist and founder of Sona Collective, stresses the need for a compassionate approach. “We’ve inherited a deep fear of suicide, leading to shaming those who experience it,” she explains. “By practicing non-judgment and asking open-ended questions, we can offer support to those struggling with suicidal thoughts.”
Such systemic change begins on an individual level—by listening, understanding, and showing empathy.
4. Perinatal Mental Health Is More Than Postpartum Depression
The narrative surrounding perinatal mental health often focuses solely on postpartum depression, overlooking the range of emotional and psychological challenges mothers face before, during, and after pregnancy.
Angela Pidala, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Adored Mothers Perinatal Therapy Center, believes this limited view exacerbates stigma. “We need to change the narrative to encompass all perinatal mental health issues,” she argues. “It’s not the mother’s fault, and with proper care, she can thrive.”
By expanding our understanding of perinatal mental health, we can foster a more supportive environment for mothers during this vulnerable time.
5. Veterans Are Resilient, Not Broken
The mental health challenges veterans face are well-known, but this recognition sometimes leads to harmful assumptions. One such stigma is that veterans with PTSD are incapable of succeeding in civilian roles.
Chris Kirksey, a U.S. Army veteran and CEO of Direction.com, disputes this notion. “PTSD doesn’t make veterans broken,” he says. “In fact, some of our top performers are veterans who have worked through PTSD, using their resilience to become empathetic, out-of-the-box thinkers.”
Educating employers about the unique strengths veterans bring to the workplace is key to overcoming this stigma.
6. Normalize Mental Health Conversations Among Black Men
Cultural expectations often place a heavy burden on Black men to remain stoic in the face of emotional or psychological challenges. This stigma leads to untreated mental health conditions and reinforces harmful stereotypes.
Nigeria McHellon, a licensed clinical therapist, believes that conversations about mental health need to become more normalized in Black communities. “We must create spaces where vulnerability is embraced,” she says. “And we need to make mental health services more accessible and culturally competent.”
Such efforts can help break the cycle of suppression and pave the way for healing.
7. Alcohol Use Disorder Is a Disease, Not a Choice
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common yet misunderstood mental health conditions. Misconceptions about AUD often paint it as a personal choice or moral failing, rather than recognizing it as a disease.
Dmitry Khritankov, Product Director of SoberMe, calls for greater awareness of the complexities behind addiction. “We need to shift societal focus from blame to empathy,” he argues. “Only by understanding the underlying triggers of AUD can we offer appropriate support.”
Reframing the conversation around addiction is essential to creating a more compassionate society.
8. Accept All Emotions as Valid
Many people believe that certain emotions—such as anger, sadness, or jealousy—are “bad” or should be suppressed. This stigma can lead to emotional dysregulation and avoidance.
Stephanie Martinez, a therapist and owner of Stephanie Martinez Therapy, advocates for an acceptance-based approach. “When we stigmatize emotions, we perpetuate avoidance,” she says. “But by accepting all emotions with curiosity and compassion, we can model emotional intelligence for future generations.”
By shifting our perspective, we can reduce the stigma around emotional experiences and foster healthier coping mechanisms.
Moving Forward: Breaking the Silence
World Mental Health Day is a powerful opportunity to address the stigmas that hinder open conversations about mental health. By educating ourselves and others, challenging harmful stereotypes, and advocating for change, we can create a more compassionate, understanding world.
As these experts remind us, mental health care is not a sign of weakness—it’s a crucial step toward a healthier, happier life for all.
