Attitudes facilitating recognition and help seeking
Recognition
Beliefs about MH, self-awareness and insight, stigma as a barrier, facilitators of help-seeking
A belief is the state of mind where an individual assumes the knowledge or experience they have about an event, or thing, is true. When it comes to mental health, certain beliefs become barriers for young people to perceive, evaluate, and respond to their internal experiences.
“I shouldn’t feel this way”
“If I ask for help, it means I’m weak”
“Mental health isn’t real unless you’re diagnosed”
These beliefs create a distance between their feelings and what they find acceptable. This inner conflict leads to suppression of emotions, denial of the problem and guilt or shame for having needs. This results in not trying to find a solution to a mental challenge and ask for advice, support or help. Other beliefs like being happy all the time, being emotionally strong, in control and independent can set unrealistic standards for a person. These beliefs, on the other hand, create an environment in which young people feel there shouldn’t be any moments of feeling low, down, sad or upset. This environment makes them feel like a failure when those moments occur, which makes it more difficult to cope with.
Those unhelpful beliefs act as psychological roadblocks.They create a disconnection between our minds and bodies. Your role is to challenge, reframe and replace those beliefs with more flexible, compassionate and accurate understandings of what it means to be mentally healthy.
But how? The first step is to awaken and improve self-awareness among young people. Self-awareness is like a muscle that needs to be developed. It allows people to identify and understand their emotions, thoughts, reactions and behavior and their influence on well-being. A self-aware person has a higher chance to recognize the emergence of mental health challenges, because they can objectively observe themselves allowing them to notice changes and understand the reason behind them.
In other words, lack of self-awareness is a barrier to understanding mental health and well-being. Without recognizing and understanding emotions and behavior, a person can misunderstand the persistent sadness and apathy with just being lazy, which are potential signs of developing depression. Without this acknowledgement, a person will not engage in the activities that will improve their mental state. They will think how everything is okay, even though their state will just get progressively worse, reaching a point where the level of appropriate help will also increase – from self-care help to needing professional help.
Also, without self-awareness people are more likely to project their mental state onto external factors. They begin to blame the situation on their work for their stress, blaming others for their mental state without taking actions for the improvement. The “external blame” can delay intervention because they believe that the problem lies in other people and that there is nothing they can do. While a self-aware person would understand what and why something triggers them to feel stressed (work) and will try to find the solution for the problem (work-life balance, setting boundaries, etc) and implement it in their life.
Communication about mental health is very important. Discussing and sharing emotions with others, understanding each other is crucial for maintaining well-being. Do you think that a non self-aware person is able to hold a healthy communication like this? Probably not. They are more likely to stay silent because they don’t understand what and why they feel, which makes it difficult to discuss. They are less likely to ask for advice, support or help because they don’t even know what the problem is and what it is that they want.
Those are some of the barriers that make the conversations about mental health difficult. Unfortunately, talking about mental health is not difficult only on a personal level, but also on a global level. Many communities find it embarrassing to talk about, deal with it or understand people that are open about their mental health and well-being. This environment is called stigma.
Stigma is “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person.”
Stigma in mental illness occurs when individuals hold unfair beliefs or attitudes toward those experiencing mental health challenges. The term “stigma” refers to a mark, stain, or blemish, and in this context, it manifests through stereotypes or labeling based on a person’s symptoms or condition. People with mental illnesses may encounter stigma in the form of negative perceptions, unequal treatment, or feelings of shame and embarrassment. Stigma can also contribute to discrimination in workplaces and social settings, potentially worsening a person’s mental health struggles.
Stigma in mental illness occurs when individuals hold unfair beliefs or attitudes toward those experiencing mental health challenges. The term “stigma” refers to a mark, stain, or blemish, and in this context, it manifests through stereotypes or labeling based on a person’s symptoms or condition. People with mental illnesses may encounter stigma in the form of negative perceptions, unequal treatment, or feelings of shame and embarrassment. Stigma can also contribute to discrimination in workplaces and social settings, potentially worsening a person’s mental health struggles.
Examples of stigma around mental health conditions include when people make comments such as “You’re crazy,” “She’s schizophrenic,” or “You can’t be depressed; you seem so happy,
What is mental health?
Mental health is the foundation of how we think, feel, and connect with the world around us. It shapes our ability to handle stress, build relationships and make decisions. Just like physical health, it needs care and attention at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.
But mental health isn’t just personal, it affects our communities. When we prioritize well-being, we create stronger, more connected societies where people can thrive. It’s not a luxury or an afterthought, it’s a fundamental part of a healthy, fulfilling life.
Your turn to help
How can you support stigmatized young people?
Promote resilience<br />
Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from challenges, much like bamboo bending in the wind rather than breaking under pressure. It allows young people to navigate difficult situations while maintaining their well-being. Just as bamboo withstands storms and returns to its upright position, resilience helps individuals regain stability after setbacks. Encouraging resilience means equipping young people with coping strategies, emotional strength, and a belief in their ability to overcome adversity.
Psychosocial support<br />
Psychosocial support, sometimes called counseling, psychological first aid, or emotional support is a process that helps young people manage their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. It plays a vital role in assisting those living with mental health challenges by fostering self-acceptance, clarity, and personal growth.
Effective psychosocial support should help individuals:
Develop a better understanding of themselves, recognizing both strengths and challenges.
During a self-reflection workshop, a participant realizes that while they struggle with anxiety in social settings, they excel at creative problem-solving and supporting others one-on-one.
Gain awareness and acceptance of their mental health condition or personal struggles.
A youth attending group discussions about mental health starts to understand that their mood swings aren’t just “laziness” but signs of burnout, helping them accept the need for self-care.
Find clarity in their difficulties and recognize that solutions exist.
Through one-on-one mentorship, a young person overwhelmed by academic pressure learns time management techniques and realizes they don’t have to face their stress alone.
Build self-esteem and confidence in their ability to manage challenges.
A participant who always doubted their leadership skills takes on a small organizing role in a youth project and gains confidence after successfully managing a team task.
Improve their overall mental well-being.
A young person struggling with depression starts engaging in group sports activities and mindfulness exercises, noticing an improvement in their daily mood and energy.
Gain a realistic perspective on stigma and its impact.
After attending a stigma-awareness workshop, a participant stops feeling ashamed of their need for therapy and starts advocating for mental health discussions within their peer group.
Feel motivated to reconnect with family, friends, and their community.
After participating in an outdoor retreat focused on emotional resilience, a youth reaches out to a sibling they had distanced themselves from, rekindling their relationship.
In therm of youth work
Some of the common issues that people face are:
The role of increasing MHL in reducing sigma
By increasing MHL among youth, you can impact the reduction of stigma since they are strongly connected. You can challenge misconceptions and encourage discussions. When people are informed about mental health conditions, their causes, and treatment options, they are more likely to identify symptoms in themselves and others, seek help without fear of judgment, and offer support to those in need. Greater literacy replaces fear and misinformation with empathy and acceptance, fostering a society where mental well-being is valued just as much as physical health.
Why does stigma happen?
Stigma happens because of lack of understanding of mental illness, often fueled by ignorance and misinformation. It can also stem from negative attitudes or prejudices toward mental health conditions, which may lead to discrimination. Even within the mental health field, some professionals may hold biased views toward the individuals they support, contributing to stigma in care settings.
The media can contribute to stigma by reinforcing inaccurate stereotypes about people with mental illness, wrongly linking mental health conditions to criminal behavior and violence, and misusing mental health diagnoses to explain certain actions. These portrayals can spread misinformation, shape public perceptions unfairly, and increase fear and misunderstanding about mental health.
What causes stigma?
Labeling
Labeling: Labeling someone as “good” or “bad” is often a way to simplify complex human experiences and avoid the effort required to truly understand another person’s struggles or challenges. This tendency can contribute to stigma, as it prevents deeper empathy and reinforces misconceptions about mental health.
Terror management
Terror management: People are naturally fearful of developing a mental illness or disability. If the stigmatized person can be blamed for their condition, it may ease fears that the condition could happen to anyone.
Social identity
Social identity: People often shape their identities around the groups they belong to, which can lead to viewing those outside their group less favorably. Stigmatizing others can serve as a way to justify privilege, exploit individuals for personal benefit, or enhance one’s own sense of importance. This dynamic can reinforce discrimination and deepen social divisions, including those related to mental health.
Stigma and discrimination relating to mental health can take lots of different forms, and affect people in different ways.
Good listening
One of the most valuable skills in supporting young people is active listening. It requires a combination of empathy, respect, and attentiveness, as well as an understanding of the person’s experiences and cultural background. Listening with intention fosters trust, validation, and positive change.
Peer and group support
Stigma happens because of lack of understanding of mental illness, often fueled by ignorance and misinformation. It can also stem from negative attitudes or prejudices toward mental health conditions, which may lead to discrimination. Even within the mental health field, some professionals may hold biased views toward the individuals they support, contributing to stigma in care settings.
Break down the myths about mental health
Misinformation fuels stigma, leading to fear, misunderstanding, and social exclusion. By challenging myths and replacing them with accurate, evidence-based knowledge, youth workers help create a society where seeking help is normalized and discussions about mental health are met with empathy rather than judgment. Breaking down these misconceptions allows young people to access the support they need without fear of discrimination.
Good listeners listen with their hearts and minds, ears and eyes.
The heart and mind
Creating a safe, non-judgmental space is often the first step in helping a young person feel seen and valued. You can counteract stigma by offering a different kind of response like one that acknowledges potential, instills hope, and reinforces worth. Simple gestures like a warm greeting, a confidential conversation, or undivided attention can make a significant impact.
The ears
You must carefully listen to the words a young person uses, the stories they share, and the emotions they express. Sometimes, feelings manifest in anger, sadness, or withdrawal, and it’s essential to recognize the underlying struggles. By actively listening, you can understand how a young person views themselves and their situation, which is key to guiding them toward support.
The eyes
Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, posture, and eye contact can reveal just as much as words. Observing these signals will help you to better understand a young person’s emotional state. However, body language should never be assumed, it’s always important to check in and ask rather than make assumptions about what someone is feeling.
Recognizing and understanding mental health challenges, encouraging self-awareness, challenging beliefs and reducing stigma is just the first step of increasing MHL among youth. You must provide young people with knowledge and tips for their prevention and management. Young people can learn to navigate everyday anxiety, stress, and low mood through self-care practices to prevent the development into more serious mental health problems or ,even worse, disorders. However, if a person doesn’t take action to prevent the early stage of development of mental health issues, they might engage in their management. Also, there are stadiums in which it is possible to manage mental distress and light mental problems with self-help practices, but if a person is not familiar with them and doesn’t engage with them, their light problems will arise in something more serious where only professional help is an option. Your role is to provide youth with prevention and management practices, while also to know where to direct young people in case of mental disorders.