Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness

Start the conversation. End the stigma.
Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M) is a non-profit organization working together to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness through widely distributed public education materials and programs based on the latest scientific insights and measured for effectiveness.
For more information on BC2M and its mission to end stigma and discrimination, please visit, bringchange2mind.org and join our community BringChange2Mind.

[@mybabyedward]

The stigma has caused the fear of getting help for my grandma and brother which resulted in their suicides. The loss of a loved one to suicide is indescribable. Personally I no longer hide my mental illnesses and have come to the realization that if someone chooses not to be in my life because of them then that is their loss. We have enough to struggles to bare, hate and ignorance don't need to be part of that list. I do though wish that there was more that I could do to stop the stigma. I pray that one day our society would be more accepting.

[@williamjohns8379]

I'm fighting against depression and panic attacks. I don't need to have to fight against the bigotry of social ignorance and hatred.

[@cajayson8301]

I hope you're feeling better!

[@stephanieaustin274]

Ignorance about mental illness causes isolation and prevents sufferers from living life to the full. I have borderline personality disorder. My life is improving a little every day because I have more understanding of borderline personality disorder. As Stephen Fry said; One in four people will have mental health problems at some point in their life, but many more have a problem with that.

[@silentsoliloquy82]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar II when I was fourteen. This is an excellent video and filled with valid points.

[@sgustafson80]

Thanks, as someone with bipolar, married to someone with bipolar, a parent of a kid with depression, a sister and also daugter-in-law to ones with disassociative personality disorder, your work to end stigma is great. :-)

[@feridriccampbell6390]

Hello Sarah ❤️ How are you feeling today??

[@shirinmahdavi9903]

Discrimination is not only against race, gender, sexuality, or religion: it includes discrimination against those with mental illnesses. People don't choose to have a mental illness just as they don't choose to be a certain race, for example. I haven't really given much thought to discrimination against people with mental illness, but it really does happen. It is sad because people affected by the illnesses are looked down upon and seen as a target and that's not right. We need to be more accepting and more educated about the things that people go through.

[@BloodyMangle]

+Shirin Mahdavi I was diagnosed with ADHD in third grade and my classmate has Chronic Depression.

[@theegocalledjeremy2226]

It's how our societal hierarchies work. The "ugly" duckling isn't on par with the white swan. Survival of the fittest, sexiest, wealthiest, or most powerful.

[@ellenmccord]

Stigma is a word no one understands well enough. It's like racism. It's deeper than the beliefs people are conscious of. Stigma and racism will prevail until the institutions that perpetuate both hold themselves accountable. Mental health professionals, with all their well-intended ways of "helping", often perpetuate the beliefs that cement stigma in the minds of the person with the diagnosis. The system that "treats" needs to re-orient its own model of illness and wellness. Stigma starts and ends there.

[@MayaMiaow]

Thank you for sharing this and for all of those individuals who spoke out. Your comments reminded me that I am not alone in my struggle against not only mental illness, but also the stigma of enduring mental illness.

[@HowToRescueYourSelf]

Great Job. Great to see more being done to promote ways and methods to Manage Mental Health Stigma.

[@bloemsteve1]

We need more of these stigma busters. My deep depression that began when I was twenty nine years old interrupted a promising pastoral career. In many churches stigma of mental illness still exists. My wife Robyn and I wrote a book, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It.” It is our family story of my depression. We founded Heartfelt Counseling Ministries and we are daily fighting the stigma of mental illness. Rev. Steve Bloem

[@angelamaust1832]

Steve, I am heading right to Amazon to check out that book. Thank you for what you are doing, I look forward to seeing what you have to say. Since Robin's death, I have seen some Christians trying to help, some of which have obviously not personally suffered with it, and I am sure you know all about the stigma for believers--I'm sure not in only Christian communities, but any religion that would be sure that 'enough' faith, 'enough' prayer, 'enough' scripture--it must go. I keep trying and trying to say--will God definitely take away Parkinsons and Alzheimers which are also brain illness? Are they shameful? Talking about it as a believer who has suffered terribly, "even though" I grew up in a loving home, have a wonderful family and church family--it still hits and hits hard. I feel a big drive to help people 'get it' especially the ones who suffer and are afraid to get help b/c of this-the stigma. Looking forward to what you have to say!

[@mistylee717]

Fortunately I belong to a religion that has long taught the truth about mental illnesses and has been educating people world-wide about the need for medical care for illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder.

[@MindRegulatorMusic]

I have gone to Amazon to preview your book. I have added it to my Wishlist. I must have it. Thank you for your honesty. Yes, there is so much stigma in the church regarding brain diseases.....a person gets more support from any other physical ailment. They get prayer meetings, they get people coming by with food, and offering to help around the house, and to check on them. But as soon as you mention a mental illness, the members clam up. I look forward to reading your book. I will look into your ministry. Keep doing what you're doing. We need it.

[@bloemsteve1]

Hi Mind Regulator. Thank you for your feedback! You are absolutely right. When it comes to mental illness, "they clam up". Our church is starting to change. Robyn and I started a support group called CAMI (Christians Afflicted with Mental Illness) We wrote the manual for it. People are starting to start their own groups with our help. You might want to check my blog out. It is sbloemreflections.blogspot.com God bless you, I am praying for you!

[@xixini8367]

why do you think random people on the internet care, stop trying to be acknowledged. you ARE NOT special

[@harrycanes1]

Great job Kate Coneen , your daddy would and I'm sure is quite proud of you!! ;)

[@leahinancsi1355]

I have Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety. I can't put into words how I feel. My life has been a living hell. Yes, I am on medication!

[@z2010able]

Leah, I hope you are doing much better now, four years later.

[@Godislove2024]

All I know is until it came to light now I see people excusing themselves to just stop fighting for their dreams. I see so many using this as an exuberant excuse to depend on others economically. I suffered my life with anxiety, bypolarism but had to swallowed it and go on to provide for myself. I didn't know what it was but I made it thru life, yes the hard way but I'm so proud of myself.

[@suicide-preventionresource7134]

Let us hope that the two young women who spoke of this generation being the one to finally end the stigma are correct.

[@lovingrcTV]

SAY NO to stigma

[@liliarivera2154]

I am bipolar and have an epileptic, Asperger's son and had never let anyone to put an estigma on us. And I am si greatfull for people like you exust

[@aclementemusic]

#Epic ! #FunkTheStigma W The #MidnightManix ! Peace and Love and NEVER GIVE UP!

[@LarryKnightJr]

Thank You!

[@mistylee717]

Not only is there stigma associated with the diagnoses but treatment stigma is a huge problem. I know people who have no,problem saying they have depression but won't admit to taking anti-depressants because they get so much negative response when people find out they are on medication. Seeing a psychiatrist, taking medication, being hospitalized for mental illness, getting ECT treatments should not be something to be ashamed of any more. People should not have to hide it from employers any more than if they had their gall bladder removed.

[@z2010able]

Perfect.

[@MarieArrowsmith]

Beautiful.

[@A4est]

shared this on my facebook group page

[@z2010able]

I did too just now, two years after you did.

[@CCSofChocolatesvill]

I hate going to extended family gatherings as they all know about me having bipolar and that I have been in hospital 4 times but are too scared to mention it and I sense their unease around me especially the young adults all of which makes one feel like a black sheep.

[@goods4u1]

I have C-PTSD-BPD- GAD-SAD.I have to deal with my ex and our older children who are 19,23,24,25-they refuse to learn about the underlying issues and causes, there is no support, and because they think I am trying to draw attention to myself such as when I cry,they don't want to even see how I am doing-which is a trigger-(abandonment),But I take medication, go to therapy, and pray.I have come a long way on my own-stopped cutting,drinking(5 yrs.) and have learned that there are people like me who can be supportive to one another-the stigma of mental illness to some is like a contagious disease.

[@xixini8367]

why do you think random people on the internet care, stop trying to be acknowledged. you ARE NOT special

[@z2010able]

Linda Ching: How ignorant are YOU!

[@jasonlove5366]

Hi Pam,I might have some of it.

[@Fiddlemama]

shared....

[@BrendaKakareka]

Stigma stinks😢Life is hard enough when youre mentally struggling...Show love and support whenever possible....Suicide is real !!!! I pray for anyone struggling God will help 🙏

[@kirstyw.6854]

I have two family members with mental illness #talkaboutmentalillness #takeawaythestigma #nonormal

[@alexandrakaidan-berry332]

Can we end the stigma for parents with metal illness too? I am horrified with message boards where people offer horror stories of their mentally ill parents or people with mental illness encouraging others to practice eugenics by not having children. Let's hear some positive parenting stories. My mom is mentally ill, and I had a good childhood. Let's end the bigotry. People with mental illness can parent too!

[@TheJohnnyBE]

Tell it!

[@ItsMePerryTanko]

My mother has M.I. but denies there is anything wrong with her!!

[@elmerdsbaddays339]

i agree with the stigma in the community that people face. it can be cruel.

[@WhosoeverBelieveth]

If you wish to become more informed about the human psyche, as well as other aspects that make up a whole human being, I highly recommend reading, &/or listening to (via youtube), Dr. Gabor Maté (Canada). Elise aka Godgirl

[@stephanieaustin274]

I find it disheartening when people cannot tell the difference between mental illness and learning difficulties.

[@krissygirl333]

Just found out Richard Dreyfus is bipolar, and outspoken about it

[@ginajustiniano84]

What about borderline and the other unmentioned disorders!?

[@BloodyMangle]

+G Gonzalez im guessing they couldn't mention all disorders nor find one person for every mental disorder as their are a tone of them are some aren't confirmed yet as one such as Maladapitive Daydreaming. But I think this video was including all mental disorders and not just the ones shown.

[@capresti3537]

Every single psychiatric label stigmatizes the person being labeled and as long as we continue to use psychiatric labels (contained within the DSM) to describe behaviors, psychiatry will continue to profit while the public suffers. No psychiatric label, no billing insurance. No psychiatric label, no drug prescribed. So until we stop using these psychiatric labels, which mean nothing other than what some psychiatrists decided was a mental “illness,” we will never stop the “stigma.” The psychiatric labels are backed by corporate interests not medicine, and not science.

[@abhijeettrivedi2417]

😭😭😭

[@haroldmaio407]

Which is your aim, ending the stigma of mental illnesses or putting an end to teaching it, proffering it, aiding those who proffer it?

[@stegin8453]

Stop stop the sigma of mental illness 😢

[@teqkilla]

Notice how theirs one black person, poc communities need to do better bc mental illness is unfortunately not taken seriously within us. Obviously this affects everybody but I feel like the Caucasian community takes these things more seriously

[@capresti3537]

The stigma? The stigma begins with the psychiatrists themselves. They're the ones who do the stigmatizing.

[@sivaddwho2]

Why is he the only black person on this panel? This is not diverse at all. Mental illness is everywhere but when creating these tutorials create a variety and not just have 1. I did not see other nationalities either. This was a good message but biased so to the author of this, create more of a variety to "truly" & "really" appeal to ALL. Thx 4 sharing though. #moving