Expelling the Stigma Against Mental Illness

Let’s talk about stigma, specifically the stigma against people living with mental health conditions and seeing a mental health professional. We may have come a long way from lobotomies and belief that women are unstable due to a “wandering womb” (i.e., the original meaning behind the word “hysteria”), but these unnecessary barriers to greater health and wellness are still with us today.

Consider physical health: when a person is sick with a sore throat, it’s typically acceptable to schedule an appointment with a physician or other medical provider. That provider will gather information, perhaps run a strep test or other labs, and a medical diagnosis and treatment is given.