Bias & Stigma in Mental Health

Are you curious about counseling, but worry what your friends or family might think or say if they know you are in therapy?  Or are you in therapy now and wish your loved ones would understand its benefits, and maybe try it for themselves?  Well, you’re not alone.  Unfortunately, there is and always has been a gap dividing those who understand and believe in therapy, and those who do not understand it, or don’t believe in treating it. Even people active in therapy may second-guess themselves if questioned, and wonder things like How long can a client stay in therapy? Is two years of therapy enough? Are weekly or monthly hour long therapy sessions enough? It's time to end the stigma about mental health and call people on their bias that prevents you from getting the help you need. 

The Numbers

Nearly one-fifth of Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental illness in any given year, but less than half of them get the help they need.  There are many reasons for this, including cost and access to care, but one of the driving forces that keep people from seeking counseling is bias against it.  As is usually the case with stigma and discrimination, the rejection of therapy stems from either a lack of knowledge, an unwillingness to understand it, or a mixture of both. The most valuable tool you can have when talking about the benefits of therapy is knowledge, so the next time someone is dismissive about it, arm yourself with some of the facts.

The Facts

You might share that in the United States, 1 in 20 adults faces a serious mental illness each year, and 1 in 6 teenagers deals with a mental health disorder. It's important to highlight that for children aged 10 to 14, suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death. Additionally, those suffering from depression have a 40% increased risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. If mental health issues are left untreated, whether due to stigma or other factors, they are likely to worsen over time.

You Are The Expert

When someone is feeling emotionally overwhelmed, it can be tough for others to truly grasp what's happening. But remember, you're the expert on your own mind and body, so you know best when something feels "off." There are plenty of reasons folks turn to counseling, with depression and anxiety being pretty common ones. Not every case of depression or anxiety is intense or long-lasting, and many people seek counseling for what we might call "situational" reasons. Think about times when a little extra support would have been a lifesaver—like during a big move, a divorce, a serious illness, or after losing a job or a loved one. These are the moments when having a counselor by your side can make all the difference.

Another top reason people go to therapy is to figure out how to get along with and relate to others better. This type of counseling can be, and often is, for dating, engaged, or married couples.  But we also see clients who may have relationship issues with their co-workers or their in-laws.  There are also clients who come in to acquire the necessary tools to manage their anger or addictions in a non-judgmental, supportive environment. Additionally, trauma-informed care makes up a large part of most counseling practices, where people who have suffered can receive empathic support in a safe environment.

As you can see, there is ample evidence to support “why” people go to counseling and to disprove the misinformed or biased reasons why many dismiss it. The next time you find yourself defending therapy to people, do what you can to educate them. Encourage them to show equality and compassion to those who may be struggling emotionally.  Normalize counseling by being open and honest about what it’s like for you to have symptoms as you work through them with your therapist. 

Most importantly, do not let others dictate how you view or feel about yourself by choosing empowerment over shame. Chances are, they will take notice and may decide to give counseling a try themselves! 

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