Let's Rethink Mental Illness
It's time to end stigma and discrimination around mental illness. Use this guide to help change lives.
Introduction
Over half a million people in the UK are severely affected by mental illness.
But it’s not just what’s going on in their minds that makes life hard... it’s what’s going on in ours. One of the most difficult things about living with a mental illness can be the judgement of others.
This guide is full of advice and information on what to do if you’re worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. It will also help you understand the stigma and discrimination faced by people severely affected by mental illness, and how you can help change lives.
Over half a million people in the UK are severely affected by mental illness.
But it’s not just what’s going on in their minds that makes life hard... it’s what’s going on in ours. One of the most difficult things about living with a mental illness can be the judgement of others.
This guide is full of advice and information on what to do if you’re worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. It will also help you understand the stigma and discrimination faced by people severely affected by mental illness, and how you can help change lives.
Contents of this guide
Scroll through the guide or click on the links below to read specific sections.
Scroll through the guide or click on the links below to read specific sections.
What are stigma and discrimination?
Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of your mental illness. Discrimination is when someone treats you unfairly because of that mental illness. These experiences can make mental health challenges worse and could stop you from seeking help.
"One day, Chris rang me after work, shivering and crying. To my horror, I found out two police officers had called him out of the pool. Someone felt it was necessary to call the police, to ‘protect the children’, because Chris disclosed to the lifeguard that he had a mental illness..”
"I often heard people talk about the emotions displayed as ‘attention seeking’, making comments about the individual’s unstable state.”
"My Dad didn’t ‘believe’ in mental illness. His response when I told him I thought I was depressed was, ‘depression doesn’t exist, just smile more, go for a run, get over it’. We continued to keep my suicide attempt a secret from my Dad and still do.”
"I lost my ex-fiancée, she didn’t want to know me. My friends disappeared off the face of the earth."
Understanding stigma
There is still stigma around mental illness. Taking a moment to think about what you say can help to reduce it. Throwaway comments and ‘jokes’ can feel very personal and hurtful to those affected by mental illness.
Challenging misconceptions
Stigma can be caused by harmful misconceptions about mental illness. Like the idea that living with a mental illness is a weakness, or a choice, that it has to make you violent or irrational, or means you can’t necessarily live a fulfilled life. Challenging these misconceptions will help us oppose stigma and discrimination.
Stigma can be caused by harmful misconceptions about mental illness. Like the idea that living with a mental illness is a weakness, or a choice, that it has to make you violent or irrational, or means you can’t necessarily live a fulfilled life. Challenging these misconceptions will help us oppose stigma and discrimination.
"One misconception that frustrates me is the misdiagnosis of all people with BPD as crazy or manipulative. Often we are just struggling to deal with our pain, and such judgements are not only harsh and reductive, but also unfair.”
"One of the most frustrating misconceptions about psychosis is people associating it with ‘psycho’ and thinking it means psychopath. People with psychotic conditions are not necessarily dangerous, they need help and to feel safe.”
"When OCD is misunderstood as a cute personality quirk, it is not taken seriously. Inaccurate depictions of OCD literally stop people from getting help. This is why it is essential to educate people about what OCD really is.”
Concerned about what to do
Worried about your own or someone else’s mental health? We’re here to help. We’re all unique and there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ way to support someone living with a mental illness.
But here are a few things to keep in mind:
But here are a few things to keep in mind:
Take in how they are feeling without judgement or prejudice
From time to time, we can all feel more stressed, angry or sad than usual. But if you have a friend or relative who experiences these changes consistently over a long period of time, it could be a sign they are developing mental illness.
Here are some common changes to look out for:
- mood and behaviour changes
- work, family or social life issues
- changes in energy or concentration
- sleeping or eating too much or little
- increased use of alcohol or drugs
Below are some other ways you can help:
Reassure your loved
one that doctors cannot
usually share your
information unless
you agree
one that doctors cannot
usually share your
information unless
you agree
If you’re worried about your own mental health.
1 in 4 people experience a
mental health issue in England every year
mental health issue in England every year
More than half a million people are severely affected by mental illness in England, and many more live with common mental health problems.
If you’ve noticed changes in the way you think or feel which cause problems in your day-to-day life, getting help early can speed up your recovery – you can get support and treatment from the NHS.
If you’ve noticed changes in the way you think or feel which cause problems in your day-to-day life, getting help early can speed up your recovery – you can get support and treatment from the NHS.
- refer you (or help you refer yourself) to NHS talking therapy services.
- give you advice on things like sleep, exercise and diet, and refer you to a specialist NHS service like the Community Mental Health team (CMHT).
- offer you suitable medication.
- have tried all options available to them and you’re still very unwell.
- think your symptoms are severe or feel you’re at risk of suicide or self-harm.
If you need urgent help you can
Click on the drop-downs to read more information
You can call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk/ triage/check-your-mental-health-symptoms You will need to answer some questions. They will refer you to an appropriate service or tell you what to do next.
They support people who need urgent help. Sometimes you may need a professional to refer you. Find details of your local team by asking your GP, calling NHS 111 or searching online. Try search terms like ‘Crisis team Leicestershire’, or ‘Crisis team Camden’.
GPs usually keep a number of appointments free for urgent cases and can make a referral to the local crisis team if necessary.
A&E will assess the situation and may arrange for a professional to see you. You might be admitted to a mental health ward in hospital or referred to the crisis team.
They may then get in touch with mental health services such as the crisis team or take you to A&E.
These can provide support if you are feeling vulnerable and need to talk to a skilled listener. They can be a good option while you are waiting for professional help.
You can text Shout to 85258 to connect to a trained person to help you. See giveusashout.org for more information.
A useful reminder
Thanks for helping to create a world where everyone living with severe mental illness is treated with dignity and respect. Here are the key things to remember:
- 1ImpactStigma and discrimination can have a profoundly negative impact on people living with mental illness
- 2UnderstandingUnderstanding misconceptions about mental illness is key to challenging stigma.
- 3ListeningIf someone tells you they are living with mental illness, make sure they feel heard.
- 4SignsKeep an eye out for signs of anxiety, irritability and changes in sleeping patterns and mood
- 5SupportIf you’re worried about your own mental health, the NHS can give you support and treatment. Your doctor would be a good place to start.
- 6You're not aloneFind more information on our website (rethink.org), or from other organisations who can help. You’re not alone.
About Rethink Mental Illness
No matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
As a leading charity provider of mental health services in England, we’re on a mission to bring about meaningful change: to our health and social care system, to the way society views mental illness, and to people’s lives across the country.
People severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do. The rich diversity of their experience shapes our advice, information, and around 200 groups and services, and drives our campaigns to change the law and tackle discrimination.
Our trusted advice and information is accredited by the Patient Information Forum.
As a leading charity provider of mental health services in England, we’re on a mission to bring about meaningful change: to our health and social care system, to the way society views mental illness, and to people’s lives across the country.
People severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do. The rich diversity of their experience shapes our advice, information, and around 200 groups and services, and drives our campaigns to change the law and tackle discrimination.
Our trusted advice and information is accredited by the Patient Information Forum.
Contact us
Visit: www.rethink.org
Email: lets@rethink.org
Email: lets@rethink.org
