Tackling mental health stigma

Mental health struggles are often battles fought in isolation despite our desire to support those facing tough times. The stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier for those struggling, even as awareness and conversations around the topic continue to grow daily.

 

photo: TKP

I believe youth are the cornerstone of progress. Their voices are stronger than ever so why are they still not being heard?

Many young clients I interact with identify a significant risk factor for their declining mental health: the lack of parental support. Often, guardians, due to inadequate awareness, fail to provide the care and understanding their children desperately need, leaving them feeling unsupported and isolated.

 

Clients frequently say, "I’ve tried opening up to my parents because where else would I go?" Sadly, these courageous attempts are often met with disappointment.

 

They recount moments of vulnerability, only to be dismissed with remarks such as, "It’s just you; maybe get some sleep, and you’ll feel better," "It’s nothing; others go through far worse," or phrases like, "Esto pani huncha ra, testo lageko matra hola," (Does something like this even happen? You just feel like that) and "Yo estai garcha, sano kura lai thulo banaucha." (You always try to make something out of nothing.)

 

Some parents dismiss the conversation entirely, disregarding their child’s courage to speak up and invalidating their feelings.

 

When discussing the stigma we still face, youth awareness alone isn’t enough. Support and acceptance from older generations are equally vital. When loved ones provide sufficient support, it eases a person's journey through mental health struggles. So, the main thing we have to understand is that stigma can be addressed if we come together, start having conversations around it and embrace the concept of mental health as naturally as we do physical health issues.

 

Acceptance remains a long journey for Nepali society. I believe the most effective way to tackle stigma is by openly acknowledging that people are struggling. Sadly, when individuals recognise their struggles, they often burden themselves with guilt and shame, blaming themselves for their circumstances. This mindset often turns seeking help into a last resort.

 

In Nepal, the deep-rooted stigma around mental health calls for structural change and support from the government. While it's unrealistic to expect major change from these sectors alone, providing mental health resources and initiating more government projects could help tackle stigma and encourage open conversations. After all, if given proper consideration, this is an area where meaningful change is possible.

 

In our country, a strong belief in traditional healing practices plays a significant role in perpetuating mental health stigma. Even educated individuals often seek help from traditional healers, reasoning, “When nothing else works, why not try this?” However, many still hesitate to consult mental health professionals who dedicate years of study and practice to their field. This reluctance underscores a lack of awareness, trust, and accessibility to professional mental health services in our society.

 

Traditional healing practices are woven into our culture, strengthening the stigma around mental health. The harm lies in the labels people receive from such practices, marking them as disruptors of societal harmony. For someone seeking support, judgment from loved ones is not just disheartening; it’s isolating. When those closest to us turn against us, how does it affect our fragile state of mind?

 

The lack of conversations from an early age fuels the stigma surrounding mental health. In most families, children aren’t generally introduced to emotions or mental well-being. If mental health were part of family discussions or school curriculum, much of the stigma could be reduced. Additionally, even when individuals who have mental health issues try to open up and have conversations, they express that their mental health challenges are invisible, and others often dismiss their struggles. This just makes it harder to open up later on. This failure to communicate their challenges creates a cycle of silence.

 

The more we discuss mental health, the closer we get to building a destigmatised environment. Unfortunately, many still live in spaces where silent struggles are neither recognised nor validated.

 

People raised in supportive environments, where leaning on others for help is normalised, often find it easier to seek professional assistance. Similarly, individuals who have lived abroad are generally more open to acknowledging mental health issues. However, we are still far from fostering such a supportive culture in Nepal.

 

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we move closer to progress with each step. Every effort made to improve mental health creates a positive impact. Finding new and effective ways to support those struggling can be difficult, but the combined efforts of dedicated professionals make a real difference.

 

An important step forward is changing how people perceive mental health services. Should seeking help from a professional be seen as a last resort? Or can it become something people embrace openly and without hesitation? This shift in mindset is crucial, and with sustained efforts, it is a future we can achieve.

 

Ultimately, the question is: do we want those around us to get the help they genuinely need, or will we keep dismissing their struggles as mere phases that will pass? Will we continue to fuel the cycle of negative thoughts for our loved ones, or will we pave the way for mental health to be addressed as openly and seriously as physical health? The choice is ours to make.

 

 

Dristy Moktan
kathmandupost