Breaking Stigma
Stigma – defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a person, a personal quality, or a personal circumstance, is born out of fear and ignorance. The lack of understanding subsequently allows individuals to act in a manner that refuses to accept persons who are different into our societies.
The impact of stigma is detrimental to persons coping and living with a mental health condition, as it goes beyond just the person affected, also affecting those closest to them. Community blame, social rejections and family isolations are the major consequences of stigma in our current African landscape.3
Persons who lived or are living with a mental health condition are often impacted by stigma as it hinders ones’ recovery by eroding their self-esteem and self-worth.
Crushing a person’s individuality, especially those who struggle with mental health conditions often results in avoidance of treatment, not complying with current treatments, thus negatively impacting an individual’s and care-giver’s mental health journey.
Only 5 % of the total South African healthcare budget is allocated to mental health.4 Is this not stigma?
Individuals living with a mental health condition are often provided with labels. Is this not stigma?
Struggling with mental health is NOT considered important because they can “just get over it”. Is this not a stigma?
Join us in solidarity to unite, with one voice, to stand up and prioritise mental health in South Africa, because mental health can lead to DEATH if left untreated based on the stigma it is faced with.
Break the silence to break the stigma.
#breakingstigma
A proud Janssen South Africa initiative in collaboration with SADAG and SASOP.
If you feel you might be experiencing the symptoms of Depression, make an appointment to visit a healthcare professional, who will help with a formal diagnosis and necessary treatment.
