Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health

Many people hesitate to seek mental health support—not because they don’t need it, but because of the stigma that still surrounds it. A global study found that around 60% of adults with mental health conditions avoid getting help due to fear of discrimination. In India, the numbers are even starker. Despite growing awareness, only about 10% of those who need treatment actually receive it—largely due to cultural stigma and misconceptions.

Breaking this stigma isn’t just about awareness; it requires change on multiple levels—personal, societal, and systemic.

What You Can Do

Change starts with how we talk to ourselves. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I should be stronger,” or “Other people have it worse,” take a step back. That voice in your head isn’t speaking the truth—it’s echoing how society has taught us to minimize our struggles. You wouldn’t tell a friend who’s hurting physically to ‘just get over it,’ so why say that to yourself?

Another way to challenge stigma is by learning more about mental health—not only through statistics, but also through real stories. Follow mental health advocates, read memoirs, or listen to people who have lived through these experiences. The more we educate ourselves, the less likely we are to hold onto outdated beliefs.

And then there’s language. Small changes in how we talk can make a big difference. Saying things like “I’m so OCD” when we mean “I like things organized” waters down real struggles. Instead, let’s try to use words that respect the depth of these conditions.

How We Can Change as a Society

Supporting mental health doesn’t mean we need to have all the answers—it starts with simply listening. If a friend or colleague opens up about their struggles, we don’t need to jump in with solutions. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can say is: “I hear you. How can I support you?”

When we hear dismissive remarks—things like “Depression isn’t real” or “They’re just being dramatic”—we can challenge them. That doesn’t mean starting an argument, but even a simple, calm response like “Mental health conditions are real medical issues, just like heart disease or diabetes” can plant a seed of change.

Media also plays a huge role. Too many movies and TV shows still portray mental illness as something extreme, dangerous, exaggerated, or unrealistic. After all, stories shape the way people think. Supporting content that portrays mental health accurately—whether through books, films, or social media—helps shift public perception in a meaningful way.

How Institutions and Workplaces Can Step Up

It’s not just individuals who need to change—systems matter too. When workplaces don’t take mental health seriously, employees suffer in silence. Many companies have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), but the real question is: Do employees actually feel safe using them? If there’s an unspoken fear that taking a mental health day could impact your career, those policies mean little.

True change happens when organizations normalize mental health support, not just as a buzzword, but as an integral part of workplace culture. That means:

• Expanding mental health coverage in insurance plans.
• Training managers to recognize signs of burnout and distress.
• Creating spaces where employees feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment.

Breaking the stigma around mental health is not a one-time action—it is an ongoing commitment to empathy, education, and change. Every small step we take, whether personally or collectively, helps create a world where mental health is treated with the dignity and importance it deserves. Let’s all be part of that change—starting today.