Thursday night Community Conversations on Mental Health was all about growing and learning together as a community and removing the stigma of mental health. We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to all the young adults who were in attendance. Thank you, for leading the pack by not being afraid or shame to talk about your own personal challenges with mental health and seeking the help you need to heal and move forward in life! So very proud of our young adults and all who attended Session 1 of Community Conversations on Mental Health. May we always remember to pray for one another as we continue to grow and become more like Jesus Christ in our everyday lives!
To Our Speakers: Pastor Ketty Camesa, Mrs. Tangela Dupree, Debra E. Thrower, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom with our audience last night. Thank you and God Bless our speakers! Be sure to save the date for Session #2 Community Conversations On Mental Health Thursday, August 31st @ 6:30pm
What is Stigma? Why is it a Problem?
Stigma is when someone, or even you yourself, views a person in a negative way just because they have a mental health condition. Some people describe stigma as a feeling of shame or judgement from someone else. Stigma can even come from an internal place, confusing feeling bad with being bad.
Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation, blame and secrecy that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge challenges to reaching out, getting needed support and living well. Learning how to avoid and address stigma are important for all of us, especially when you realize stigma’s effects:
- People experiencing mental health conditions often face rejection, bullying and discrimination. This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult.
- Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States.
- Even though most people can be successfully treated, less than half of the adults in the U.S. who need services and treatment get the help they need.
- The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth ages 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death for all American
One in 5 Americans is affected by mental health conditions. Stigma is toxic to their mental health because it creates an environment of shame, fear and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
hope14me.org 