BEATING THE STIGMA OF THERAPY

October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month

Jo Thyr, our Behavioral Health Therapist will be sharing some education and insight to mental health, starting with the stigma of therapy and how to overcome it.

The definition of a stigma is “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person.” Unfortunately, many people fear being stigmatized or negatively judged for seeking therapy for mental health. This stigma overshadows the fear, lack of awareness of help and ignorance. This stigma is hugely linked to the decrease of happiness and overall satisfaction of life with people’s mental health.

Stigma: Therapy is for the weak.

Reality: Seeking help from a therapist is actually a huge strength, not a weakness. It is courageous to see the need for assistance and seek that out.

Stigma: It’s a waste of money just to talk with someone.

Reality: We all spend our money on things that are important to us. Just as trainers are hired to help us get in shape physically, a therapist can be used to get us in shape emotionally.

Stigma: I don’t need therapy. I have friends and family I can talk to.

Reality: It’s great to have a social support network, but therapists offer more than just listening. Therapists are professionally trained with skills to help problem solve and give tools to cope with life’s difficulties and stress. A therapist is also objective and doesn’t have a bias in swaying you in a certain way.

Stigma: No one else is going to therapy.

Reality: We might be surprised how many people actually go to therapy. They just don’t talk about it with others. It’s perfectly fine to keep it private, but when people openly speak about their experience with therapy, it helps reduce the stigma.

Stigma: I’m not that depressed

Reality: With the stigma of not being “that depressed,” it is often helpful to see therapy as a preventative treatment, before a person would have a certain emotion actually increased. You can treat a downward trend before it becomes a bigger problem.

Stigma: I would be in therapy forever.

Reality: Therapy doesn’t last forever. Throughout therapy visits, goals are made together. When these goals are met, the patient has tools to cope better with life’s events.

Promise Behavioral Health Team

We are committed to walking alongside our patients during difficult times in their lives. Promise provides a comfortable, safe, confidential space for patients to share their concerns. We also want to offer hope and allow patients to recognize they are capable of making positive changes in their lives. It takes courage to share with someone about sensitive areas of life, and we honor that courage. When patients share and unburden their hearts, it will ultimately empower them to create more wholeness and a higher quality of life.