I'm pondering something though - yes there is a stigma around mental health treatment, so that those who need it often avoid it, and those who could benefit in a small way (as opposed to life-saving critical ways) never even consider it. Is there any way to shift societal thinking so that the stigma is around NOT getting treatment? If someone had significant physical damage, most people I know would consider them an idiot for not going to an emergency room. There would be some compassion and sympathetic noises for the ones who don't have health insurance, but overall, you're expected to get help. About ten years ago, a co-worker (let's call him Bob) got mugged, and the attacker managed to break Bob's jaw in two places. Bob came to work the next morning, in pain, and planning to tough it out. It took all five team members, the boss and the department director to convince him to seek treatment. He ended up needing surgery, and had his jaw wired shut for six weeks. It never would have healed on its own.
If it's so obvious for physical damage, why is it so backwards for mental or emotional damage? Maybe I'm oversimplifying, and I have the benefit of open-minded friends and family. But really, what can be done to shift this mentality?
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Date: 2012-07-30 02:53 am (UTC)From:I'm pondering something though - yes there is a stigma around mental health treatment, so that those who need it often avoid it, and those who could benefit in a small way (as opposed to life-saving critical ways) never even consider it. Is there any way to shift societal thinking so that the stigma is around NOT getting treatment? If someone had significant physical damage, most people I know would consider them an idiot for not going to an emergency room. There would be some compassion and sympathetic noises for the ones who don't have health insurance, but overall, you're expected to get help. About ten years ago, a co-worker (let's call him Bob) got mugged, and the attacker managed to break Bob's jaw in two places. Bob came to work the next morning, in pain, and planning to tough it out. It took all five team members, the boss and the department director to convince him to seek treatment. He ended up needing surgery, and had his jaw wired shut for six weeks. It never would have healed on its own.
If it's so obvious for physical damage, why is it so backwards for mental or emotional damage? Maybe I'm oversimplifying, and I have the benefit of open-minded friends and family. But really, what can be done to shift this mentality?