“Talk about mental health and shatter the stigma.”

A social label attributed to someone for being different, usually unjustified: stigma.

A state of physical and mental well-being, non-impaired functioning of the body and mind: health.

Unfortunately, stigma also affects health. Especially mental health. Stigma discourages people from seeking help in time. It leads to social exclusion, which worsens an already alarming situation even further.

Due to stereotypes about mental health issues and disorders, mental health is kept hidden and isn’t talked about. However, as the definition states, health not only signifies physical, but also mental well-being. This is not something we are sufficiently aware of, and the fast-paced, crazy world of (too-) high expectations and filters is not doing us any favours in this respect either.

This is where (co)decision-makers have to step in too. As Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Public Health, I am advocating for two key issues:

– to ensure that all young people with mental distress or disorders receive accessible, free and timely help, which is a crucial first step in successfully tackling their difficulties;

– to ensure that both the authorities and all other stakeholders raise the level of awareness about mental health issues.

It is critical to talk about mental health and thus shatter the stigma that is still associated with it. Each of us has difficulties in our lives, we all experience and deal with them differently. What is important is that they are actively addressed.

– Irena