Part 1: Ending the Mental Health Stigma of Professionals
Mental health conditions can impact anyone. However, many people tend to have stereotypes in mind when it comes to the “target audience” for conditions like anxiety and depression. Those stereotypes don’t often include people like doctors, lawyers, or other types of professionals. Unfortunately, that’s created somewhat of a stigma in these industries. Mental health isn’t discussed as much as it should be, and if someone is struggling, it’s often swept under the rug for fear of ridicule or judgment. But, again, mental health issues can affect anyone—including those in professional settings.
So, what can be done to end the mental health stigma of professionals? Let’s cover a few tips that can foster positive change.
Educate Yourself
Ending any type of stigma starts with education. Stereotypes and false assumptions often begin because people don’t have a full picture of what they’re talking about. Maybe you’ve fallen into that category before. Maybe you know you’re struggling with your own mental health, but you’re still buying into the stigma.
Educate yourself. Learn as much as possible about mental health conditions, their causes, triggers, and common symptoms. The more you understand the root cause(s) of certain conditions, the easier it is to recognize that no one is immune. A mental health issue doesn’t somehow make you a weaker individual, even in a professional setting.
Start the Conversation
Being well-educated on mental health issues will also boost your confidence in talking about them. Having open and honest conversations with other professionals is essential if the stigma is ever expected to end. Don’t be afraid to talk openly about your mental health, even in a professional setting. It can take a lot of courage, especially when you know a stigma exists. However, by stepping up and showing that kind of vulnerability, you never know who you could be inspiring. Chances are, others around you are struggling with similar issues or feelings and need a safe space to talk about them. The more people who do talk about mental health in professional settings, the weaker that stigma will become. Eventually, with open conversations and time, those stigmas will fade with time.
Show Compassion
We’ve all heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words.” That rings true regarding how you treat others dealing with mental health conditions. If a friend or co-worker in a professional setting had a physical condition, think about how you’d treat them. You would want to know what you could do to help or support them. Mental health conditions should be no different.
Show compassion and kindness. This is another great way to eliminate mental health’s negative stigma and put it on equal footing with physical health issues. Even if your workplace doesn’t offer mental health support, it doesn’t mean you can’t serve as a support system for other individuals.
Be Empowered
If you know you struggle with things like stress, anxiety, or depression, don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of feeling guilty. Don’t brush it under the rug or worry about how others in a professional setting might see you. Instead, choose to be empowered through education and conversation.
It might not seem like it now, but you’re certainly not the only one dealing with these issues in a professional setting. You can empower others to do the same when you step forward and show confidence in talking about your mental health. That won’t just get rid of the stigma; it will change the culture.
Take charge of your mental well-being as soon as possible. The more aware you are of your symptoms and the root cause(s) of any issues you face, the easier it will be to open up about them. Feel free to contact me for more information on counseling for professionals.