ACTION Coalition
ACTION Coalition
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Upcoming Events
  • Action at A.C.T.I.O.N.
  • Community Partners
  • Alcohol
  • Prescription Drug
  • Tobacco / Vaping
  • Marijuana
  • Methamphetamine
  • Mental Health
  • AARRC
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Resources
    • Upcoming Events
    • Action at A.C.T.I.O.N.
    • Community Partners
    • Alcohol
    • Prescription Drug
    • Tobacco / Vaping
    • Marijuana
    • Methamphetamine
    • Mental Health
    • AARRC

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Upcoming Events
  • Action at A.C.T.I.O.N.
  • Community Partners
  • Alcohol
  • Prescription Drug
  • Tobacco / Vaping
  • Marijuana
  • Methamphetamine
  • Mental Health
  • AARRC
image552

fight the stigma

Most people who live with mental illness have, at some point, been blamed for their condition. They’ve been called names. Their symptoms have been referred to as “a phase” or something they can control “if they only tried.” They have been illegally discriminated against, with no justice. This is the unwieldy power that stigma holds.

Stigma causes people to feel ashamed for something that is out of their control. Worst of all, stigma prevents people from seeking the help they need. For a group of people who already carry such a heavy burden, stigma is an unacceptable addition to their pain. And while stigma has reduced in recent years, the pace of progress has not been quick enough.

All of us in the mental health community need to raise our voices against stigma. Every day, in every possible way, we need to stand up to stigma. 

Talk Openly About Mental Health

“I fight stigma by talking about what it is like to have bipolar disorder and PTSD on Facebook. Even if this helps just one person, it is worth it for me.” – Angela Christie Roach Taylor

Educate Yourself and Others

“I take every opportunity to educate people and share my personal story and struggles with mental illness. It doesn't matter where I am, if I over-hear a conversation or a rude remark being made about mental illness, or anything regarding a similar subject, I always try to use that as a learning opportunity and gently intervene and kindly express how this makes me feel, and how we need to stop this because it only adds to the stigma.” – Sara Bean

Be Conscious of Language

“I fight stigma by reminding people that their language matters. It is so easy to refrain from using mental health conditions as adjectives and in my experience, most people are willing to replace their usage of it with something else if I explain why their language is problematic.” – Helmi Henkin

Encourage Equality Between Physical and Mental Illness

“I find that when people understand the true facts of what a mental illness is, being a disease, they think twice about making comments. I also remind them that they wouldn't make fun of someone with diabetes, heart disease or cancer.” – Megan Dotson

Show Compassion for Those with Mental Illness

“I offer free hugs to people living outdoors, and sit right there and talk with them about their lives. I do this in public, and model compassion for others. Since so many of our homeless population are also struggling with mental illness, the simple act of showing affection can make their day but also remind passersby of something so easily forgotten: the humanity of those who are suffering.” – Rachel Wagner

Choose Empowerment Over Shame

“I fight stigma by choosing to live an empowered life. To me, that means owning my life and my story and refusing to allow others to dictate how I view myself or how I feel about myself.” – Val Fletcher

Be Honest About Treatment

“I fight stigma by saying that I see a therapist and a psychiatrist. Why can people say they have an appointment with their primary care doctor without fear of being judged, but this lack of fear does not apply when it comes to mental health professionals?” – Ysabel Garcia

Let the Media Know When They’re Being Stigmatizing

“If I watch a program on TV that has any negative comments, story lines or characters with a mental illness, I write to the broadcasting company and to the program itself. If Facebook has any stories where people make ignorant comments about mental health, then I write back and fill them in on my son’s journey with schizoaffective disorder.” – Kathy Smith

Don’t Harbor Self-Stigma

“I fight stigma by not having stigma for myself—not hiding from this world in shame, but being a productive member of society. I volunteer at church, have friends, and I’m a peer mentor and a mom. I take my treatment seriously. I'm purpose driven and want to show others they can live a meaningful life even while battling [mental illness].” – Jamie Brown

This is what our collective voice sounds like. It sounds like bravery, strength and persistence—the qualities we need to face mental illness and to fight stigma. No matter how you contribute to the mental health movement, you can make a difference simply by knowing that mental illness is not anyone’s fault, no matter what societal stigma says. You can make a difference by being and living stigma free!





source:  https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma 

Resources

Johnson County Counseling Center

(423) 727-2100

 318 Donnelly St, Mountain City, TN 37683 

 http://www.frontierhealth.org/ 

24/7 Crisis Hotline

(877) 928-9062 

 Crisis Recovery Center 

 (276) 525-1650 

 802 Hillman Hwy NE, Abingdon, VA 24210 

 https://highlandscsb.org/ 

24/7 Crisis Hotline

(866) 589-0269

Daymark

(828) 265-8100 

132 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607 

 https://www.daymarkrecovery.org/locations/watauga-center 

 24/7 Crisis Hotline
(866) 275-9552

 Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255 

Turning Point - A Division of Frontier Health 

(423) 926-0940 

208 E Unaka Ave, Johnson City, TN 37601 

http://www.frontierhealth.org/ 

24/7 Crisis Hotline

(877) 928-9062 

Woodridge Hospital

(423) 431-7111 

 403 N State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604
https://www.balladhealth.org/hospitals/woodridge-psychiatric-johnson-city 

 24/7 Respond Helpline

(800) 366-1132


Mental Health or Suicide Crisis Line

(855)-CRISIS1 (274-7471)  or

Text TN to 74741

National Alliance of Mental Illness Helpline

(800) 950-NAMI (6264)


Copyright © 2020 ACTION Coalition - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder

  • AARRC