Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health Treatment

By Dr. Wendy Cohen

In our society, the stigma of mental illness is very real.  While lowering cholesterol is something people discuss openly, seeking mental health treatment is something many view as a secret. As a psychiatrist, it is frustrating to see how negative perceptions are a major barrier to patients receiving the medical care they need.

It is easy to blame television and film for portraying mental health patients and treatment in a negative light. If you saw “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the image of Jack Nicholson with his wild eyes and hair askew as a stereotypical patient is a scary one. The news also features mental illness regularly, but the truth is, most acts of violence are not committed by people who have mental illness. In fact, people with major mental illness are actually estimated to be 11 times more likely to be the victims of violence than the general population and most acts of violence committed are self-injury.

But we cannot just fault the arts and media for contributing to the stigma around mental health treatment. It is embedded in our language, with demeaning use of terms like “schizophrenic,” “psychotic,” and “delusional.” There is rampant overuse of terms like “depressed,” “panicked,” and “anxious” to describe normal variation in mood. Somehow, mental health terms have morphed into insults or casual phrases. Some view the need for help as a weakness or a sign they cannot manage things on their own.

Because society uses this biased lens to view mental health, it is common for people to feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek help for problems with their mood. People worry they will be judged or criticized for starting treatment. It is not surprising that in 2010, only a little over a third of adults with mental illness reported receiving mental health services in the past year.

There is still a fear of treatment for mental illness and we need to change this perception because like any health issue, as recognizing the problem is the first step to feeling better. The journey to change society may not be a short one, but we can each contribute a step. Challenge the stigma of mental health treatment by starting with – and acting upon – your own beliefs.

I encourage people to open up to someone in their life about what they have been going through. Problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder and addiction tend to run in families, so talking to a family member may give you insight into how other people in the family have managed treatment. Usually conversations leave people quite surprised to learn that they know many people who have also sought help. Talking to a friend, coworker, or family member can help someone you know feel less alone in his or her treatment.

I remind my patients that the treatment itself is the solution to the problem with which they are struggling, and should be seen as the thing that improves how they feel. Treatment should be looked at as a tool which people can use to help themselves.

There is a great deal of room for improvement on public education and destigmatization of mental health treatment and providers  should be at the forefront of this change.  They have a responsibility to educate patients about available treatment options and guide them to choose the one that is right for them.

Until we see the change in the world we want, I encourage everyone to explore their own biases and not deprive yourself of necessary treatment. Everyone deserves to enjoy their lives.

About Dr. Wendy Cohen

Dr. Wendy Cohen is a board-certified psychiatrist who practices in the behavioral health department at Kenmore. She joined Harvard Vanguard in 2007. Dr. Cohen completed residency at the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program, and Fellowships at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and the Adam's House Psychotherapy Fellowship at Faulkner Hospital. She has clinical interests in anxiety, depression, women’s health, substance abuse, psychotherapy, and patient education. She has a private psychotherapy practice in Brookline.