Mental Health Stigma Reduction Campaign

#DoYourShare to support mental health

One of the greatest public health challenges of our time is the fight against stigma in relation to mental health. Although mental health conditions are common worldwide, people living with them very often experience discrimination and are treated differently. Fear, misunderstanding, and judgment contribute to stigma, social exclusion, and discrimination towards people living with mental health conditions. It can occur with friends and family members and in all spheres of life; at home, school, workplace, and hospital both in rural and urban settings. Recovery from mental health conditions is possible. However, stigma and discrimination get in the way and prevent people from seeking and receiving the help and care they need on the way to recovery

Strategies for Fighting Stigma and Discrimination

Protest

- Protest strategies may include public demonstrations, letter writing, petitions, product boycotts and other advocacy campaigns and they communicate a clear objection to stigma and discrimination

Education

- a. Literacy campaigns, public awareness campaigns and training and learning activities are effective strategies to educate the general public or specific target audience.

b. More specifically understanding stigma in the healthcare setting is essential to reduce stigma and offer safe environments for people with lived experience to seek care.

c. Education in the workplace is crucial to remove the barriers that stigma and discrimination create for people with lived experience. It also helps employers and employees to see past the labels and be more inclusive that also contributes to improving the well-being of people with lived experience.

Contact

- a. In order to help the general public understand better mental health conditions, sharing stories from people with lived experiences helps to change some of the negative attitudes and behaviors.

-b. The social interaction can be in person, online, through videos, in support groups and in health care environments.

Reform

- Reforming law and policies way to be more inclusive for people living with mental health conditions. .

Stigma x Discrimination

Credit: Vitalii Vodorazsky / Shutterstock

Stigma is a mark that excludes a person from the rest and that diminishes his or her value in the social group to where he or she belongs. It also refers to one's negative attitude and behaviors toward people with substance use and mental health problems. The stigma itself can be more life-threatening and long-lasting than the mental health condition.

Discrimination is an action or decision that treats a person or a group differently that can be based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. People living with a mental health condition faced with discrimination, also experience barriers in looking for and keeping a job, safe housing, and health care services. It also has an impact on social interaction with family members, friends, and with the community.

Events and Webinars

Let´s talk about Mental Health: Make Mental Health & Well-being for all a global priority

Friday, 7 October - 1.30 pm (EDT) - LIVE BROADCAST YouTube and Facebook

more information

Countries Doing Their Share

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NATIONAL ART EXHIBITION

This multi-media art exhibition launches on World Mental Health Day (October 10th, 2022) and will highlight pieces made by committee members which focus on the topic of mental health in adolescents. Members were encouraged to create in a medium of their choosing (from a pre-approved list of formats), a piece which highlights or addresses a mental health issue affecting youth that they would like to draw more attention to.

The exhibition is open to the public at the following venues and dates:

Oct 11th – 22nd, Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, POS
Oct 29th - Nov 4th, San Fernando City Corporation
Nov 12th - Nov 18th, NALIS Scarborough, Tobago

CHILE - CHILE PAINTS BENCHES GREEN IN SUPPORT OF THE #DOYOURSHARE CAMPAIGN

Local health and government authorities paint the benches located in Plaza Ñuñoa green to promote conversation and support for people with mental health problems. The activity was led by Chile's Minister of Health, Dr. Ximena Aguilera, the Representative of PAHO/WHO in Chile, Dr. Fernando Leanes, and the Mayor of Ñuñoa, Emilia Ríos, alongside the Undersecretaries of Public Health and Healthcare Networks.

On the occasion, Dr. Aguilera emphasized the importance of promoting mental health and reducing stigma "this bench is an invitation to talk about mental health and improve the well-being of all of us”.

SURINAME - MINISTRY OF HEALTH SUPPORTS AND EMBRACES THE #DOYOURSHARE CAMPAIGN

A conversation with Psychologist Maja Heijmans Leading up to International Mental Health Day and PAHO's #DoYourShare campaign, PAHO Suriname had a conversation with Mrs. Maja Heijmans-Goedschalk. She is a clinical psychologist, President of the Association of Psychologists and Orthopedagogists and co-owner of CARE. Her aim is that mental health services should be accessible to anyone in Suriname who needs them, regardless of income or place of residence.

BRAZIL - PAHO USES SOCIAL NETWORKS TO FIGHT THE STIGMA AGAINST PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

On social media, the #DoYourShare campaign invites people to speak up, share their stories, and talk openly and honestly about how they feel.

"The more we talk about our mental health, the better we fight the stigma that surrounds it," said Renato Oliveira e Souza, PAHO's Regional Mental Health Advisor. "And when the stigma decreases or disappears, seeking and receiving support becomes more accessible," he added.