Each year, 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental health problems. By the age of 40, 1 in 2 people experience a mental health problem. And yet, it still remains a taboo subject.

Influential people are speaking out about the stigma of mental illness. The campaign strives to decrease the fear and misunderstanding surrounding it.

However, if the efforts stop at awareness campaigns, nothing changes. Everyone knows that mental illness exists. The hurdle becomes getting people to accept help.

Many obstacles still must be overcome. How does mental illness impact our jobs, military service, social networks, and family relations? Do people have financial access to mental healthcare?

The Stigma of Mental Illness Defined

Negative attitudes toward mental illness result in social distancing of an individual. This social distancing causes social isolation or loneliness. This worsens the individual’s well-being.

Social isolation, in turn, causes poor mental and physical health and even early death. People with mental health problems often recognize and internalize this stigma.

They develop a strong “self-stigma”. They become hopelessness leading to increased anxiety or depression.

A review of 22 studies found that the top barriers to mental illness care were embarrassment and fear of repercussions. Let’s look at some common mental illnesses.

Anxiety

A person with an anxiety disorder feels intense, ongoing worry or fear above the normal expected level every day. They often experience sudden episodes of intense anxiety, fear, or terror known as panic attacks.

These feelings are difficult to control and interfere with daily activities. The person may start avoiding places or events that elicit these feelings.

Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Excessive worry
• Experiencing a feeling of oncoming danger, panic, or doom
• Feeling nervous, tense, or restless
• Feeling weak or tired
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Increased heart rate
• Problems sleeping
• Rapid breathing to the point of hyperventilation
• Sweating
• Trembling

If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, talk to your doctor. Treatment for anxiety disorders include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing how you react to events. You learn coping strategies. These tools help you decrease the beliefs and behaviors that lead to anxiety.

Exposure Response Prevention treats specific anxiety disorders like phobias or social anxiety. The treatment involves exposing the person to the fear with a support system.

You learn ways to decrease the anxiety response. Over time, the fears decrease. You become more confident using the coping strategies.

Medications such as anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication can help to reduce emotional and physical symptoms.

Complementary Management includes:

• Self-management strategies
• Stress and relaxation techniques
• Yoga
• Exercise

Don’t wait if your life is affected by anxiety. Get help and feel better.

Depression

Depression is more than feeling sad or having a rough time. This represents a serious mental health condition that needs medical care. If diagnosed early, treatment can help people feel better.

Some people only have one depressive time in their life. For most people, it occurs repeatedly and may last a few months to many years.

Signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of energy
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Feeling hopeless or guilty
• Decreased activity
• Increased agitation
• Physical pain
• Suicidal thoughts

Treatment for depression may include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Family-focused therapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics
• Exercise
• Brain stimulation therapies
• Light therapy
• Alternative approaches such as acupuncture, meditation, faith, and nutrition

Many advocates fighting against mental health stigmas suffer from anxiety and depression. Reach out for help.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD describes a psychiatric disorder that can occur after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This could include a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist act, combat/war, rape, or violent personal assault.

People with PTSD often describe extreme, disturbing thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event. They may have flashbacks or nightmares about the event. They often avoid settings or people that remind them of their trauma.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Strong negative responses to ordinary events such as loud noises or an accidental touch
• Sadness
• Fear or anger
• Feeling separated from other people
• Negative feelings about themselves such as “I am a bad person” or “I can’t be trusted”

Many people know the term PTSD. However, they often think it only happens to combat veterans. PTSD can also occur in police officers, doctors, firemen, or nurses who repeatedly care for victims of violence.

Relationship Issues

Many individuals with a mental health condition feel reluctant to tell their significant other or potential dating partner. You should know that many people with serious mental conditions have strong, supportive, long-term relationships.

Good partners become valuable support when you have a rough time. If your partner does not stand beside you and help you, this may indicate a poor relationship. This does not reflect on you.

Often, a person chooses not to tell their partner for fear of rejection. If you want a long and healthy relationship, your partner needs to understand what you are experiencing. They can also be your biggest advocate and a source of strength for recovery.

Choose a time when you are not having symptoms to discuss your condition with your partner. Tell them what helps you during these times. Share with them the triggers for these feelings if you can identify them.

Mental illness can interfere with your sex life. Certain medications can decrease your desire for sexual intimacy. It can also impact your ability to have an erection or orgasm.

If you experienced sexual trauma, this may bring up feelings of fear, pain, or anger.

Talk to your therapist about your feelings related to sexual relations. You may wish to invite your partner to a therapy session.

This may help them gain a better understanding of the situation. Discuss ways to regain pleasure with intimacy.

Finding a Coach or Mentor

First, you must understand that you are not alone in your pain. You have people who are ready, willing, and able to help you feel better. That helps you realize this blessing:

“May all that has been reduced to noise in you become music again.” – David Teems

A coach or mentor should give you:

• Certainty
• Variety
• Significance
• Connection
• Growth
• Contribution beyond yourself

This ideal coach will push you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to contribute. They will help you feel more certain, more significant, and allow you to experience variety. And, allow you to feel a connection.

Let’s Take This Step Together

When you reach the time in your life when you want to take that helping hand and walk toward healing, we are here. Our website offers many videos to begin learning more about your pain and ways to heal. You can participate in training programs.

You can contact us to discuss our services and how they may benefit you. Learn more about our staff and watch videos today.

We are here for you. Let’s find a way to get past the stigma of mental illness together.