Almost 1 out of 5 Americans live with a mental disorder. Meanwhile, research shows that nearly two-thirds of all people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment. Lack of knowledge, fear of disclosure, rejection from family, and discrimination are a few reasons why people with mental illness don’t seek help. Stigma keeps people from seeking help and treatment that is vital for their physical and emotional well-being.
For people struggling with co-occurring disorders such as a mental illness and substance use disorder, stigma becomes a double challenge. Not only is the severity of the illness at risk of being judged, but the chronic duration and severity of symptoms can cause people to become apprehensive, if not resistant, towards seeking the help they really need. Many people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have to challenge discrimination and stereotypes because of perpetual stigmatization associated with the illness.
Schizophrenia is a disorder with a broad range of symptoms, characterized by impairment of thought processes. Emotional responses are affected, and many people may experience auditory hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and significant problems in social or occupational areas. When combined with substance use, mental illness requires comprehensive, integrated treatment that helps individuals learn to manage symptoms and utilize support networks.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out daily tasks. Bipolar disorder is marked by experiencing rapid mood swings and intense emotional states. Without the right supports, individuals with bipolar disorder tend to have a higher rate of relationship problems, economic instability, and are significantly more likely to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Individuals with a dual diagnosis of a mental illness and substance use disorder are members of our community. They are our children, our loved ones and our cherished friends. A world with mental health stigma is a world that marginalizes the space for these individuals to achieve a fulfilling life, to find balance and work toward realizing their dreams. It is a world where people feel reluctant to get the care they need, despite the evidence that treatment and support help people recover and succeed in life.
Imagining a world without mental health stigma is not impossible. Through education and awareness, we can shift the narrative and treat mental illness and substance use disorders with the same regard as any other medical condition. WestBridge is launching a year-long marathon campaign, #RunningWithYou, to show how dealing with a co-occurring disorder of substance use and mental illness is a long marathon that requires support. Dual disorder treatment is a lot like training for a marathon, or any endurance event. Both require the need for an encouraging team, a plan of action, and most of all, an attitude to triumph over obstacles for personal accomplishment. If we can challenge stereotypes that fuel stigma, we can pave a successful path towards rehabilitation and recovery. We can imagine a world without mental health stigma and we can bring that world into existence.
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