Weaponising Stigma to undermine Mental Health and Well Being

Let us be straight to the point on this one: stigma.

Stigma is the manifestation of 'a mark of disgrace,' associated with a person. When applied to mental health it is incredibly debilitating, with both internal and external sources of stigma being the real time experience of those living with mental health issues.

To realise how detrimental stigma is, you have to recognise that not all stigma is simply discrimination against another for their mental health. It can also be an internal and very distressing experience of self-stigma, preventing people from reaching their full potential and healthy level of self-esteem. This impact only hold people back even further from reaching their goals and having confidence in themselves.

Furthermore, externally, people 'weaponise' stigma consciously and unconsciously; the choice to do so is a clear reflection of their character. If they are clever enough to self-reflect they soon realise how harmful such an attitude is. It does not mean they won't do it again. It is a part of their unchecked values to do it, to discriminate and to perpetuate harmful shame induced attitudes.

When our society allows this, when individuals lapse into doing it again because to them weaponising stigma is a form of perceivable dominance over another they see as 'vulnerable' for attack and shame. It is also a way they can bypass their own issues and tar and feather another. It could be a reflection of their own families issues with mental health that they are unable to process and thus they fear it. More over, it says a lot more about them than it does about the person they are targeting.

When stigma is weaponised it becomes a way to form this disgrace as an attack on the mental health, self esteem and the overall development and character of another as a functioning human in society and their sense of belonging and identity in the community. Hence it can be debilitating for the individual it is targeted towards but also their family, their relationship to their community, their workplace and their friends. It helps isolate individuals further into themselves and disconnects them from their potential whilst chaining them to their most vulnerable self as a mark of disgrace.

It can take the form of simple derogatory comments to a person that is by all other circumstances well. Calling a recovered person with a diagnosed chronic mental illness 'crazy,' or other words can be incredibly damaging to their personal recovery, their relationship to themselves and their mental health. It can make the emotional labour of integrating their mental health and well being into their lifestyle in a practical and healthy manner even more discouraging, painful and isolated.

It is a sharp way to say: "you don't fit in to the acceptable normal and you should feel ashamed of this not belonging. Everyone has the power to think this about you, like a landmine, you navigate social relationships with those that will weaponise stigma and those that will see you without judgement. Society thinks this about you. The places you require help from are shameful. The people that also have mental health issues are shameful. You are your disease."

Associating mental health diagnosis with the personality of a person is an enmeshment of disease and identity. It thus forbids healing and growth. It facilities such as therapists, mental health wards, psychologists with something negative is exactly why people stay away from these places when they are vulnerable and need help. It further enmeshes their mental health to their overall identity. Imagine if people referred to a cancer hospital with a dysphemism, only to gain a sense of showmanship over a vulnerable and unwell person. It's discrimination and a form of abuse to weaponise stigma in the arena of mental health that would not be tolerated in many other health areas.

Associating mental health issues with the assumption of drug use or alcohol is a form of stigma. It negates the case for trauma, genetics and circumstances and instead favours the character of that person as a reason why they are mentally ill. People self-medicate, but this isn't unique for people with mental health diagnosis and a healthy understanding of the impact of drugs and alcohol comes in part from everyone in society.

In the complex cases of mental health attributes like severe chronic stress, a lack of a quality GP, little family support or compassion, sudden changes in environment, ongoing pressure from education or work can all be reasons for a person to experience mental health problems. Labeling is dangerous and a trained professional should make assessments unless you are able to ask the right question and be compassionate, using stigma through assumptions about mental health can be more harmful to the person and deteriorate relationships.

If it is the tactic and intention to hurt that can perpetuate internal stigma even more and help destroy an already vulnerable sense of self-esteem. Only bullies do this because people with mental health issues can appear or act more vulnerable, making them a clear target for people with abusive personalities or other psychological issues themselves.

If a person is experiencing the black dogs of their own mental health, minimising their mental health issues or in an emergency not consulting with their Mental Health Care Plan is unwise as it can cause more issues for the individuals involved and the system that is there to help in an emergency. Each mental health experience is unique and weaponising stigma as through manipulation and targeted control can cause more problems and cause further harm to relationships.

Without observation of the motivation of the person weaponising stigma towards someone that which has been discriminated against can feel isolated and shamed. The truth is, the reason people perpetuate stigma is because they are ignorant and/or abusive. It says more about them than it does about the individual they are targeting and if they do it to one person they probably do it to or have done it others. It is how they perceive the various individuals in the society around them and overall how they understand psychology. Hence when stigma is used as a weapon the perpetrator ignorantly reminds themselves of their sense of 'power' in society. This power dynamic is simply someone that is ignorant/abusive to sustain that sense of authority over others and the narrative of mental health in society. Unfortunately that narrative is systemically abuse the mentally ill.

Boundaries are essential. When a person uses stigma as a weapon, it simply says a lot more about that persons character. It becomes their shadow. They use it to feel powerful, to take control when really they are just weaponising stigma and perpetuating the crisis in mental health for the individual and wider society. They do it to cause harm whether they know it or not, they cause harm to others and the relationships around them.

They are buying into outdated and uneducated forms of exclusion and shame that cements isolation, further depression and even suicide. It also reflects onto their character and the very real danger that they themselves are unable to accept and articulate their mental health issues and get the help they need as well.

Mental health is an ongoing complex aspect of the social fabric that is why the role of ending stigma is essential to comprehensive recovery and full participation in the community from those living with a disability/ mental health issue.

*If you are experiencing mental health issues, please consult with your local healthcare professional or lifeline.