Stigma

Stigma,
This past weekend I was at an event with over a few thousand people in attendance. I had a booth and stayed to help answer questions regarding my work and my office. (just imagine – I am a mental health professional specialized in substance use disorder!) I had a few good laughs with my sister, and this is how I try to deal with the stigma which is attached to my work.

I had several people who dropped my flyers as soon as they read the word addiction on it. A few people who took a picture of my banner but never approached the table. And a few people who argued with me that they are healthy, and others who mentioned that they have no history of mental illness in their whole family. And the rest never approached my table. Stigma!

Stigma is often a negative mindset in relation to a situation. Dr. K. slater-Pedneault defines it as “Stigma is a perceived negative attribute that causes someone to devalue or think less of the whole person.” My experience with talking to individuals with mental illness and stigma is that they become victims to the societal stigma around their disorder. One client so beautifully put it “I have a lot more on my plate than just my disorder – I can’t escape the stigma of my addiction.” As a mental health professional, I often feel that the stigma of mental illness is as bad as the symptoms of the disorder because at the end of the day the stigma comes down to discrimination and hate.

When we make people feel diminished, devalued and fearful because of the negative attitudes we hold towards them due to their psychological disorders, we devalue the attempt and the courage it takes on their part to reach out for help.

As my sister was stunned by the reaction of people toward my booth; I jokingly told her that well you know, addiction is contagious! If you approach the table, you may just get infected ;-)!

​Samar Tehrani