Stigma and Mental Health

o Write down the definition and discuss the impact stigma may have on an
individual who may have a mental illness.
o Brainstorm ways that stigmas about mental health can be challenged or
changed in the school environment or within society. Share these.

1. Stigma is the disapproval and discrimination of a specific person, group, or

quality. Stigma can have a very negative impact on individuals with mental
illnesses. These people can resort to feel shameful of the illness they have,
and this can cause them to not seek help as they don’t want anyone to know
about it. People not being educated and believing certain stigmas can cause
them to discriminate and/or bully individuals with the mental health illnesses.

2. We are all aware that these negative stigmas should not exist. But how can
we achieve this within our society and our school environment?
Firstly, we can hope to educate people about mental illnesses and common
stigmas related to them. We can teach people how to avoid using stigmas and
that it is not proper to react to people with mental illnesses in such a way.
Second, in a school environment, children can be educated and taught to help
their friends if ever they are in a spot of trouble with their mental illness. For
example, we all know that friends have a large influence on our thoughts and
opinions. If an individual has a mental illness, but they refuse to seek help or
take potential medication for it, their friends can help them be confident
enough to seek help, or motivated to take medication.