Applying Theoretical Perspectives and Activism to Understand and Combat Mental Health Stigma

Mental health-related stigma results in individual, communal, and societal consequences such as stereotypical thoughts, prejudiced feelings and attitudes, discriminatory behaviours, social injustice, and inequity toward individuals with mental health issues. As a result, individuals living with mental illness often experience decreased self-esteem, loss of identity, isolation, exacerbated mental illness, internalized self-stigma, housing and employment discrimination, academic challenges, and barriers in various aspects of life. Research indicated that stigma continues to persist despite increased knowledge about mental health, expanded treatment options, and an abundance of mental health promotion and stigma reduction programs. Thus, we must further examine mental health-related stigma from various theoretical conceptualizations to understand its persistence. This paper applied two theoretical frameworks: Social Learning Theory and Sociological Imagination Theory to better understand mental health stigma. It argues that activism aids in reducing mental health stigma. This paper also suggests that program developers of future mental health stigma reduction efforts should apply activism into their initiatives to promote social justice and equity for people living with mental disorders.