Our generation has seen an increase in mental illness with the rise of social media and the internet. The pressure to be “perfect” has never been higher, and it’s taking a toll on our mental health.
Also, the recent events of covid have left people feeling more anxious and stressed than ever. A lot of people are struggling to cope with the new normal and this has led to an increase in mental illness.
In the previous two years, the number of people seeking treatment for mental illness has increased greatly. This is a positive trend, but there are still many people who don’t seek help for their mental health.
There are a variety of reasons why people don’t get treatment for mental illness. In this blog, we will take a look at 5 of the most common reasons. But before that let us understand mental illness and the stigma surrounding it in detail.
Mental Illness and Stigma Surrounding It
You have been feeling low for some time now. You cry yourself to sleep every night and have lost interest in the things you used to enjoy. You feel hopeless and helpless. You think about harming yourself or even ending your life. But you don’t tell anyone because you are afraid of being seen as weak or delusional.
If this sounds familiar, you might be struggling with mental illness. Mental illness is a health condition that affects your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It can make it hard to function in your daily life.
Mental illness is common, yet there is still a lot of stigma surrounding it. This stigma can make it hard for people to seek help. They may be afraid of being judged or ridiculed. This fear of being called out prevents people from getting the help they need. If you are struggling with mental illness, it is important to understand that you are not alone. There are many people who have gone through what you are going through and have co
People are not taking Mental Illness as a serious issue
Mental illness is often viewed as a sign of weakness. People think that if you can’t cope with your problems you are not strong enough. This is especially true for men, who are often seen as the breadwinners of the family. They are expected to be tough and emotionless. Asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness. This needs to change.
Mental illness is a serious health condition that should be taken seriously. It is not a sign of weakness but of strength. It takes a lot of courage to seek help for mental illness. There are communities that can help you through this tough time. But first, you need to take that first step and reach out for help.
Reasons Why People Don't get treatment for mental illness.
- Fear and shame:
The most common reason people don’t get help for mental illness is because of the fear and shame associated with it. Even today in 2022, when the world is more open-minded towards topics like mental health than ever before in the history of mankind, some people are still afraid to come out and talk about their mental health struggles. The reason for this is the fear of being ridiculed or ostracized by friends, family, and society at large.
People suffering from mental illness often feel like they are alone in their struggles and that no one will understand them but what they don’t understand is that there is a world out there waiting to help them. - Limited awareness:
Another sad truth is that a lot of people still don’t know much about mental illness and its various forms. This is especially true in rural areas or developing countries where mental health services are not easily accessible. People in these areas often don’t even know that mental illness is a real thing and that it can be treated. This lack of awareness prevents them from seeking help as they think that their problem isn’t big enough or important enough to get professional help.
Mental illness comes in all shapes and sizes and it is important for people to understand that no matter what their problem is, there is always help available. The need of the hour is to spread awareness about mental health and the available resources so that people can get the help they need. - Unavailability:
A lot of people who are willing to seek help for their mental illness are unable to do so because of the simple fact that mental health services are not readily available in their area. This is especially true for rural areas where there are no mental health professionals or hospitals. Even in urban areas, the number of mental health facilities is often inadequate to meet the needs of the population. This results in long waiting lists and people often give up on getting help.
The unavailability of mental health services is a major barrier to people getting the help they need. It is important for governments and policy-makers to invest in mental health so that more people can get the help they need. - Societal Pressure:
As mentioned at the start, there is a lot of pressure on people to be perfect. To have the perfect job, the perfect family, the perfect life, etc. This pressure can often be too much for people to handle and they start to crack under the strain. When this happens, some people turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. Others might start self-harming or engaging in risky behaviors.
With time these behaviors become worse and can lead to mental illness. But, people are often afraid to seek help as they think it will make them look weak or that they will be judged by society. This pressure needs to be lifted off of people so that they can seek help without fearing judgment. - Financial Issues:
One of the biggest barriers to mental health treatment is the cost. Mental health services are often very expensive and most insurance companies don’t cover them. This means that people have to pay out of pocket for treatment which is not affordable for many.
Mental health should be seen as an investment and not a luxury. The benefits of mental health treatment far outweigh the cost. Mental health professionals can help people to lead happier and more productive lives.
Conclusion
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health but sadly, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness. This needs to change so that more people can seek help without fearing judgment. To do this, we need to spread awareness about mental health and the available resources. If you are struggling, or if you know someone who is, please reach out for help. There are people who care and who want to help you. You are not alone.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9152987821. There is no shame in getting the help you need to live a happy and healthy life.
