Mental Health and Stigma

This image. What comes to mind when you see it? Maybe a lost child looking for someone / something? A broken man re-evaluating his life choices? Whatever you may see it as being; the image is purely up for viewer interpretation.

Why did I choose this image in particular? Because it showcases, in my opinion, the sickly dichotomy between mental illness or those afflicted with such conditions and the stigmas attached to said conditions: one that sticks out personally for me is the stigma that being anxious means you are a social hermit, or that you choose to act as a lone wolf.

Let's move on... to discussing how mental illness is viewed today; seen from my perspective, mental health is definitely more accepted in society today, but there are still major pitfalls which most people, me included fall into: comparison between oneself and wider society, the singling-out of certain groups based on race, religion, ethnicity and the like.... and one that is still prevalent to this very day: LABELLING.

Let's face it; labelling doesn't benefit anyone, despite what people may say. It is only there to segregate and reinforce stereotypes about certain people groups and such, for example; a common label that is thrown around like it's nothing: Oh, you're racist. Which is completely faceless, yet some people still use it as a label or just a general insult. Another label that is very appropriate to mention particularly during this month (in or out of the context of LGBTQ+ issues) is oh, you're gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender etc. as those who use those labels are simply arrogant enough to think of themselves as superior; news flash: WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS WITH FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS.

(Particularly during this month): June 2021.