Reducing Stigma of Mental HealthTalk openly about mental illness. This will help normalize it. Use supportive language. Educate yourself. Promote empathy and understanding. Mental health can be seen as a social obstacle. Which can cause issues to escalate. Makes people feel judged and focuses on the negative. You can’t see it like you can a broken arm or a bruise on the body. It is also not an indication to a persons character or capabilities. Be someone who actively listens instead of thinking of what you want to say. See people with mental illness as people first. Speak up when you see signs of stigma on mental health. Encourage mental health education in your community. Don’t make jokes about mental illness. Invite guest speakers to a scheduled event to talk on this topic.
Harmful Effects of Stigma 1. Reluctance to get help/treatment. 2. Lack of understanding by family, friends or others. 3. Fewer job opportunities.4. Health insurance isn’t always adequate. 5. Reduces hope for the person.6. Hard time socializing and maintaining relationships. 7. Social Isolation. According to my research Women may face after active duty:In addition to securing jobs, they can face conflicts with co-workers. Possibly creating legal difficulties.
One in four women experience MST (Military Sexual Trauma). Twice as likely to become homeless. Six times more likely than women who never served to commit suicide. It is only by the grace of God I didn’t do it myself. People with mental illness face many barriers. One is with the Veterans Administration and filing a claim. Mental illness can’t be seen like I mentioned above. It can be difficult to prove it if you weren’t able to get people to stand up for you while in the military. I found that some people didn’t want to get involved because they were worried about what could happen to them. Then there are people who like my squad leader told me once, “us NCO’S stick together.”While in the military women can face challenges including: 1. Gender-based discrimination. A bias in promotions and assignments among others. 2. Harassment by people because they can tell your a christian. In addition to sexual harassment. This in involve unwanted advances, rape, inappropriate comments and hostile environments.3. Women may not be recognized for the skills they learned while serving when looking in the military and often after service. Keep in mind, people may have good intention but this is not always tailored to the veterans needs.
I want to help all veterans and anyone with mental health issues through this website. It is just that I spent 38 years not getting the help I needed before my claim at the VA was accepted in April 2024.Some events to encourage people who need help try encouraging them in Art Therapy if they once enjoyed it. However don’t push it. You could turn the person away from potentially getting help from you or anyone. Another would be to think of anything they used to enjoy in the past. If you need prayer you can contact me on my contact page. You don’t need to leave your real name. DO NOT include your last time for security reasons. Check out my website called: [email protected]
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