Throughout this month we’ve talked about how myths about mental health feed into the formation of stereotypes. Last week, we discussed the most common stereotypes about depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Stigmas form based off the stereotypes we encounter and perpetuate from within our surroundings. Negative portrayals on the media, public opinion, lack of education and awareness, and personal stories of mental illnesses are just a few ways in which unreliable information can come together to form stereotypes and generalizations. One of the ways we can dispel some of the stigmas about mental health is to actively speak up against the negative portrayals of mental illnesses. If we don’t speak up, these stereotypes then have a snowball effect and become fully-fledged stigmas, which become engrained in our communities as facts. Speaking up in these situations is not just limited to public expression or one-to-many communication, but also applies to one-on-one communication.
‘Facts’ that act as justification for collective stigmatic behaviors such as discrimination and prejudice against individuals with mental illnesses lead to isolation, lack or withdrawal of support, and an overall negative treatment of people struggling with mental illnesses. Mostly important, however, is the impact that stigmatic behaviors and attitudes have on the likelihood of individuals seeking professional help for their mental illnesses. Stigmas can prevent individuals from seeking out professional mental healthcare services, leading to the worsening of their condition.
The way we communicate with individuals with mental illnesses also has a great impact on the way they perceive themselves, their illnesses, and the likelihood of them seeking professional help. Good communication results in an improvement in the relationship and it helps to remove any feelings of isolation that an individual may be feeling.
Effective and accurate communication with individual who have a mental health condition is a two-way street. Good communication always begins with good listening as that allows for a better understanding of a person and how they might be feeling. Listening, and specifically reflective listening, is crucial in letting the individual know that you are present for them. Reflective listening allows you to make sure you have understood what is being said and is a four-step process:
Step 1: Listen
As the name suggests, the first stage is to carefully listen to what the individual is saying without interrupting them.
Step 2: Reflect
At the second stage, you should respond to the individual with empathy and acceptance, and try to understand what is being said as best as you can.
Step 3: Ask Questions
At this stage, asking questions is encouraged and shows the speaker that you are making an active effort in trying to understand what is being said.
Step 4: Remember
As important as it is to understand what is being said, remembering what has been discussed as equally as important. Remembering content and details lets the individual know that you have a genuine interest and care for them and it strengthens the relationship.
Finally, expressing yourself is just as important as listening to what is being said. The key to effective expression is to speak calmly, clearly, and concisely. It is crucial to remain considerate of the other persons feelings and remain patient and flexible when it comes to expressing your thoughts on change or solutions. Change should never be enforced upon another as the change has to come from within the individual themselves.
