The stigma around mental health is pervasive and, unfortunately, a serious barrier to care for the people who need it. May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to focus on breaking the stigma around mental health and addiction. These are illnesses, not personal shortcomings, and fostering understanding and compassion is crucial.
At The Right Step Houston, we want to reach as many people as possible with the message that you deserve to be well, and help is available. Whether you require mental health treatment, addiction rehab, or dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders, don’t let mental health stigma keep you from speaking up and asking for help.
What is addiction and mental health stigma?
Stigma stems from false beliefs and misconceptions, fueling external judgment and internalized bias. It can make others see you differently, and over time, you may start to believe their negative perceptions—that something is inherently wrong with you.
Being judged for a diagnosis—whether it’s anxiety, alcohol use disorder (AUD), or something else—can compel you to stay silent. Sharing your fears and struggles begins to feel unsafe, so you keep everything bottled up. Unfortunately, this silence only deepens the pain and perpetuates the cycle, making it even harder to break free.
How can stigma affect you?
Stigma can be one of the most painful and isolating parts of dealing with addiction, especially when it comes from people you care about or even from within yourself. Stigma can manifest in open bullying, or it can be a stealthy worm, crawling inside you without your knowing it.
The way substance use and mental health stigma can affect you includes:
- Believing the worst about yourself
- Internalizing others’ disdain so that you feel shame and hopelessness
- Becoming more and more socially isolated
- Not feeling connected to or supported by family and friends
- Being guided by fear of discovery or blame
- Refusal or reluctance to seek help and treatment for a disease you have no control over
- Feeling despair at ever getting better, achieving your goals, and connecting with people
There are things that everyone within a community can do to push back against stigma and support those with a mental health or substance use concern.
Challenge stigma and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month
What part can you play in ending mental health stigma? Individuals can make a difference, and many individuals moving in the same direction can create an accepting and inclusive world. Start by speaking openly about mental health, challenging harmful stereotypes, and showing empathy toward struggling people. Even small actions—like using respectful language or supporting someone in need—can ripple outward and help shift cultural attitudes in powerful ways.
Educate yourself
Find out what you can about addiction and mental health, and tell others what you learned. Set the tone for openness and truth-telling. It’s always best to assume people want to know.
Avoid labeling or judgmental language
For example, instead of “addict,” use the phrase “someone dealing with a substance use disorder (SUD).” Rather than calling someone “psychotic,” say a “person with psychosis.”
Speak up
When others use judgmental words or amplify misinformation about mental health or addiction, say something. They are probably not doing it intentionally and won’t know it is harmful unless you do it.
Talk openly about your struggles
Have you dealt with depression in the past? Do you have anxiety? Have you ever experienced a drug craving? You may not realize that you avoid these topics due to stigma. Normalizing the conversation is critical.
It’s common to hear people openly discussing gallstones, ligament injuries, or other health issues with friends or acquaintances in public. How often have you overheard someone at the grocery store casually mention their chronic migraines during a chance encounter? We don’t think twice about it, nor do we judge them for experiencing pain. These conditions, just like mental health challenges or SUDs, are beyond anyone’s control. They are medical issues, not sources of shame or secrecy. Remember that mental and physical health are equally essential aspects of overall well-being.
Connect with The Right Step Houston and get started on mental health treatment today
If you are facing stigma, remember that you aren’t your disease and that a disease isn’t a character flaw. Find someone to talk to. Refuse to hide away. Seek help—it’s out there waiting for you. The Right Step Houston has the programs you need to support you with substance abuse and any co-occurring mental health challenge you have. Call us at 1.844.768.0169 or complete our online form to connect with our compassionate team.