Mental health is a big problem and affects many of us in different ways. There are so many mental health disorders such as Anxiety, ASD (autism), Bipolar, ADHD and Depression. There is one thing that links every mental health disorder together and that is the stigma around it.
Beth says “I have depression as well as severe mood swings. I think that schools need to understand students with mental issues and disabilities need help and encouragement when under the pressure of exams and expectations. They should stop scaring them about the future as it doesn’t do them any favours.”
Having a mental health disorder can feel like you’re trapped inside your head and you have a daily battle to fight which no one else can see. This makes it really hard for people suffering with a mental health problem to get the help they need. Unlike someone with a physical disability, mental health disorders cannot be seen and some people may cover up the symptoms when around other people including their friends. This makes life even more difficult as finding the right help becomes almost impossible.
The sigma around mental health needs to be broken because sufferers need as much help and support as possible and if they have not come to terms with their mental health problem themselves then they need people around them to support and encourage them to keep fighting the battle inside their head. If others don’t judge them for who they are then the sufferer will become more confident and would open up to friends or people around them so they can get the right help. With the stigma around mental health some people may be too scared to speak out and share their stories because they might be afraid of friends pushing them away.
On the other hand the stigma can be created by the sufferers. Schools and other services do offer help and support to help people with a mental health issue but this help is sometimes declined by the sufferers for different reasons. Holly says “I have Asperger’s syndrome and the school helps me with my Asperger’s because they let me fiddle in lessons or use fiddle toys. They also explain the subject in detail so I understand it." This shows how schools do help students with mental health problems.
Emily Morris
