Mental health stigma quotes: #EndTheStigma
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Mental health stigma quotes: #EndTheStigma
In our modern society, the topic of mental health has gained significant attention, fostering vital conversations and much-needed awareness. However, despite the progress made, the stigma surrounding mental illness persists as a formidable barrier to healing and acceptance. It is in this context that the power of words, particularly in the form of quotes, becomes an essential tool in dismantling the walls of stigma that continue to hinder individuals from seeking support and understanding. By reading and sharing quotes about the stigma of mental illness, we can actively contribute to the reduction of mental health stigma and foster a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Breaking barriers and building acceptance with quotes about stigma of mental illness
B.L. Acker has been fighting the stigma of mental illness through her writing since 2014. You can read more about mental illness and stigma on their blogs Unlovable and Sanity from an Insane Mind.
We particularly love this mental health stigma quote by Hannah Blum. Ever since being hospitalized at the age of 20 with a mental illness, Hannah has been an outspoken advocate fighting the stigma of mental illness. Hannah is the author of The Truth About Broken: The Unfixed Version of Self-love and the founder of the #SlayStigma movement on social media.
Therese Borchard is an award-winning blogger and writer who is passionate about ending the stigma of mental illness. Contributing Editor at HealthCentral and Associate Editor at PsychCentral. She is the founder of the online depression communities Project Hope & Beyond and Group Beyond Blue.
Through his blog, A Splintered Mind, Douglas R. Cootey’s blog advocates for an end to mental illness stigma through an increased understanding of ADHD and depression. His book, Saying “No” to Suicide: Coping Strategies for People Dealing with Suicidism and for the Loved Ones Who Support Them, was published in 2015.
'Mental illness stigma quotes point out the relationship between stigma and ignorance.'
Jessica Renee Dawson is an award-winning artist and published poet with physical disabilities and schizophrenia who wrote a compelling article for Chipur on mental illness stigma, The Silence of Stigma (“Shhh!”).
Ahmed Hankir is a mental health campaigner, researcher, and physician working for the U.K. National Health Service. While in medical school, Ahmed developed an episode of psychological distress triggered by the 2006 Lebanon War. It was at this time he experienced first-hand the stigma of mental illness. Ever since then, he has been challenging mental health stigma and Islamophobia, primarily through “The Wounded Healer” initiative, which aims to challenge mental health stigma and encourage care-seeking amongst health professionals.
Ashley Ford-McAllister was raised working poor, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007; and is on a lifelong learning curve based on these two core points.
Mark Freeman is a passionate mental health advocate, recovery coach, and author of You Are Not a Rock: A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Mental Health (for Humans)
Brad Hoefs is the President of Fresh Hope, a network of Christian support groups for those who suffer from mood disorders and their loved ones. A certified peer specialist and mental health advocate who was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in 1995, Brad is committed to helping break the stigma of mental illness.
Kelly Jean is a blogger and photographer from Somerset, England. Her blog, Anxious Lass, explores a wide range of social anxiety and general mental health issues, including the stigma of mental illness.
Bandy X Lee, MD, is an assistant clinical professor, at the Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, who has written numerous published articles on mental illness stigma.
Al Levin has been blogging and tweeting about depression since 2016. Al has written numerous articles about mental illness stigma and the need to end the stigma of mental illness, which Al argues leads to discrimination and bigotry against people with mental illness. You will find plenty of mental health stigma quotes in his blog The Depression Files, including this one:
Liza Long is a writer, educator, and mental health advocate advocating against the stigma of mental illness. She has been writing a blog, The Anarchist Soccer Mom, since 2007. Liza was the author of the 2012 viral essay, “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother,” about her own son and the stigma of mental illness in the U.S. following the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. She is also the author of The Price of Silence: A Mom’s Perspective on Mental Illness. Her mental health stigma quotes are spot on, especially this one on treating mental illness as an illness.
In 2015 Jennifer Marshall and Anne Marie Ames co-founded This Is My Brave, a community platform for people living with mental illness. The platform encourages people to share their stories and help reduce the stigma of mental illness. Jennifer, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Bipolar Disorder in 2006, is a mental illness advocate who believes it is better to live openly with a diagnosis.
Brendan McDonald is a former humanitarian aid worker who has publicly advocated for improving the mental health of aid workers, and reducing the stigma of mental illness within the humanitarian and development community. He is the co-author of ‘The Glossay of Awkward,’ one of the best books for cancer patients on ending the stigma of cancer.
Seaneen Molloy is a feminist writer from Northern Ireland who has been writing about mental illness since 2007 after she was hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. You find plenty of Seaneen’s musings on mental illness stigma on her blog: The Secret Life a Manic Depressive.
Abhijit Naskar is one of the world’s most well-known neuroscientists. They are an international bestselling author of numerous books and an untiring advocate against the stigma of mental illness. In many of their books, you can find quotes about mental illness stigma. This is one of our favorites:
Michelle Obama is an American attorney and best-selling author who was the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. In recent years she has revealed publicly her own struggles with mental illness and has become a vocal advocate for ending the stigma of mental illness. These quotes about stigma of mental highlight the power of words and public advocacy to #EndTheStigma.
'By reading and sharing mental health stigma quotes, we can actively contribute to the reduction of mental health stigma in society.'
Matthew Quick is an American writer of adult and young adult fiction. His debut novel, The Silver Linings Playbook, became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted as a movie of the same name. He has written about the stigma of mental illness for many years.
Ashley L Peterson is a Canadian mental illness stigma warrior, who blogs about mental health at MentalHealth@Home. Ashley, who holds a Master of Psychiatric Nursing, has three books published, the most recent one: Managing the Depression Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together.
Elyn R. Saks is an expert in mental health law and an advocate for ending the stigma of mental illness. She is an Associate Dean and Orrin B. Evans Professor of Law, Psychology, and Psychiatry, and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California Gould Law School. She is the award-winning author of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness.
David Susman, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who has written extensively about mental illness stigma on his personal blog. David believes that by getting more involved in mental health advocacy, we can all make a difference in addressing the stigma of mental illness. Of all his mental health stigma quotes, this one definitely speaks to us.
Natasha Tracy is an award-winning mental illness advocate and author of Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression and Bipolar. Her blog, Bipolar Burble, has been named a top 10 health blog by Healthista, Health.com, Healthline, Medical News Today, and others. She has written extensively on the topic of mental illness stigma and has provided many quotes about mental illness stigma.
Ruby Wax, OBE, is an American actress, mental health campaigner, lecturer, and author. Wax pursued a distinguished academic career, graduating in psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and gaining a master’s degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford University. Throughout her books, you can find succinct quotes about mental illness stigma that resonate.
'Mental illness stigma quotes delve deeper into the problem of stigma and self-stigma. Challenge yourself to speak out against stigma whenever you hear or see it.'
Kerry Washington is an African-American actress, television show producer and film director who is known for her roles in Scandal, Ray, the Tim Story Fantastic Four film series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Confirmation, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, Cars 3 and The Last King of Scotland. Kerry has been an advocate for ending the stigmal of mental illness for many years.
Quotes about mental illness stigma can make a difference
In conclusion, the journey towards mental health acceptance and understanding begins with acknowledging and addressing the stigma that plagues our society. Quotes about mental illness stigma offer a powerful means to challenge prevailing misconceptions, stereotypes, and discriminatory attitudes. By reading and sharing these quotes, we initiate conversations, spark empathy, and promote a culture of acceptance and support for individuals facing mental health challenges.
Quotes possess the unique ability to distill complex emotions and experiences into concise, thought-provoking statements. They provide us with a language to articulate our own struggles or empathize with others, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared humanity. When we encounter a mental health stigma quote that resonates with us, we are reminded that we are not alone in our experiences and that there are others who understand and support us.
Moreover, quotes have the potential to challenge societal norms and reshape public opinion. They serve as powerful reminders that mental health issues are not indicative of weakness or personal failings but are simply a part of the human experience. By widely sharing these quotes about mental illness stigma, we contribute to a collective shift in mindset, promoting understanding, compassion, and empathy.
Reading and sharing quotes about the stigma of mental illness can also create safe spaces for open dialogue. They provide an accessible starting point for conversations, encouraging individuals to share their own stories, seek help, or offer support to others. By sharing these quotes on social media platforms, we reach a broader audience, including those who may be experiencing mental health challenges silently. We extend a lifeline to those in need and inspire them to seek the support they deserve.
As we embark on our personal journeys of healing and growth, let us remember that the battle against mental health stigma requires continuous effort and perseverance. Reading and sharing quotes about mental health stigma is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to this ongoing fight. Let us amplify these powerful messages, challenge stereotypes, and build a society that values and supports the mental well-being of all its members. Together, we can break down the walls of stigma, foster acceptance, and create a world where mental health is understood, accepted, and prioritized.
Brendan McDonald
Brendan McDonald, the author of "Mental health stigma quotes: #EndTheStigma," is a former humanitarian aid worker who has ventured into challenging territories such as Kosovo, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Libya, Jordan, and Iraq. He has gained extensive experience in information management, staff wellness, and communications. In early 2014, after dedicating a year to the Syria Crisis, Brendan experienced burn-out and was subsequently diagnosed with clinical depression. Brendan lives with several medical conditions, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), peripheral neuropathy, and bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAVD)
