Silenced by stigma: why we’re still not comfortable talking about severe mental illness
Trigger warning. This article and the associated film discusses severe mental health and suicide.
Mental health awareness has grown significantly in the last few years. People are encouraged to talk about their anxiety or depression, there are mental health first aid courses and apps for self-care. This progress is very encouraging and there is less stigma attached to admitting you have problems. When it comes to severe mental health though, there is less understanding, less support and the stigma is alive and well. Stigma is dangerous because it can get in the way of people seeking help; here’s how one mental health charity is trying to change that.
Digital Voice consulted Tracy Bruce, Lead Officer of Mental Health Concern, before we worked with patients with experience of severe mental health conditions so we better understood the issues. The priorities for Tracy was to challenge this stigma and allow people to talk about their lived experiences in a way that felt safe for them.
The stories could then be shared, thereby helping others facing similar difficulties, which right now is a very real possibility:
One in five people coming into the [Together in a Crisis] service are experiencing suicidal thoughts, a 196% increase on the previous six months, with many of those cases directly linked to the rising cost of living.
- Mental Health Concern, 2022
Thanks to a grant from the VCSE Mental Health Alliance (Open Minds Northumberland) we were able to deliver both our innovative DigitalMe and our Digital Drawing projects for people with experience of severe mental illness in partnership with Mental Health Concern and St. George’s Hospital in Morpeth.
The participants of the DigitalMe project were Peer Supporters for the NHS, using their own experiences of severe mental illness to help support others in similar circumstances. They have co-produced short animations around the issues of stigma and mental health, their own tips for mental well-being and raising awareness of suicide.
The film and artwork were shared at an event for participants and mental health professionals with very positive feedback:
“I was put in a place where I could safely revisit parts of my past that I normally don’t. It was always safe and comfortable.”
“Digital voice couldn't do enough for me. [The] instructor was polite and helpful as was the assistant.”
“It has occupied my mind which helps with my depression.”
“The course is really well received by the patients who are going, one described it as the ‘best thing she’s done since she became ill’.”
Trigger warning - this film features several people talking about their mental illness and suicide attempts. You might prefer to visit the virtual gallery which features work by patients at St George’s Hospital.
If you or someone you know needs urgent help, Mental Health Concern have a list of contacts you can try: https://www.mentalhealthconcern.org/contact-us/need-urgent-help/
Twitter: @MH_Concern
Facebook: @MHConcern
Instagram: @mental_health_concern
LinkedIn: @MentalHealthConcern