Systemic Stigma: Understanding How Society Impacts Mental Health

When we usually think of stigma around mental health, we usually think of just being told to “snap out of it” or that seeking therapy is a weakness and means 'you're a weak person'. But stigma can also appear in less obvious ways, such as financial barriers or even with therapy itself. These kinds of stigma are just as limiting but harder to spot. They influence which people feel like they can be taken seriously, feel comfortable reaching out for help, or who can access care in the first place.

Many individuals seeking treatment already have internalized views that it's a sign of weakness to want help and that it's unlikely to help them. Especially those with disabilities who feel pressure to downplay their needs, and chronic pain sufferers who may avoid discussing their struggles, like mood swings, due to the fear of being dismissed. Others fear being viewed as "too much," or they refrain from seeking help because they have discovered that doing so will result in criticism. Sometimes, even well-meaning providers can unintentionally add to the problem by overlooking context or misinterpreting their symptoms. This is especially evident when an individual has many diagnoses or their social or cultural background is ignored. For instance, without addressing institutional racism, a racialized client's stress may be classified as generic anxiety. Alternatively, the symptoms of trauma experienced by a neurodivergent client may be looked at by a therapist as just a natural component of their autism. These are just a few examples of diagnostic overshadowing, which may be unintentional but drastically impact the relationship between the provider and client. These issues, which are eventually internalized, result from frequent encounters with organizations that were not designed to be inclusive, such as those in healthcare, education, and employment.

“The problem with the stigma around mental health is really about the stories that we tell ourselves as a society." - Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook

The mental-health stigma lies in real-world obstacles outside of the therapy session. Accessing mental health support can be challenging due to high prices, lengthy waitlists and a lack of culturally competent care, particularly for those who are already coping with poverty, unstable housing, or hazardous working situations. Inequality and stigma are related. It is pointless to be told to "prioritize your mental health" to someone who is struggling if they are unable to find a therapist who is sympathetic to their situation or being able to take time off work.

At Trust Therapy, we are aware that combating stigma around mental health requires going beyond superficial beliefs. It requires being aware of how institutions and systems can affect individuals' ability to get care and how stigma manifests itself in subtle ways. Our goal is to offer you help that honours your lived experience, takes into account your entire context, and doesn't require you to minimize yourself to be heard. You're not imagining it if you've ever felt rejected, misinterpreted, or as though therapy isn't for you. Not all stigma is obvious, but we're here to implement real change.