The stigma around mental health can be a significant barrier to help-seeking and recovery. This can lead to a sense of isolation and shame for those who experience a mental illness and creates a complex of feelings that make people afraid to admit they need assistance.1

Research shows that talking openly about mental illness reduces stigma and helps to break the silence around these issues. Stigma is an important part of the problem, but education can also play a crucial role in dispelling myths and reducing negative stereotypes. It’s also important to recognise and support individuals who are living with mental illness, especially in vulnerable populations.

Raising mental health awareness involves increasing knowledge of the condition, recognising the impact it can have on people’s lives and creating a supportive environment for people severely affected by it. It also means learning how to spot the signs and symptoms, and how to have open conversations about them.

Studies have shown that having direct experiences with mental health issues – like a family member who has been diagnosed – is one of the most effective ways to improve awareness and reduce stigma. This may be through a variety of mechanisms, such as education, workshops and peer-to-peer support programmes. Stigma is more than just an individual’s internal perceptions; it can be structural and involve policies that limit opportunities for people who live with mental illness, such as lower funding for mental health research or reduced access to treatment relative to other forms of healthcare.