Title: Mental Health Stigmas | Wake Forest University
Headings: Are Mental Health Stigmas Changing?
Are Mental Health Stigmas Changing?
Defining Mental Health Stigmas
A Look at the History of Mental Health Stigmas
Changing Views Toward Mental Health

Content: She refused therapy for her depression because she feared that she would have to let the bar association see her medical history and that she might not be admitted to practice. As the APA explains, a survey reveals that as recently as 2000, more than two-thirds of people did not want someone with a mental illness to marry into their family. About 58 percent of people did not want someone with a mental illness in their workplace. Changing Views Toward Mental Health
A recent survey published by the American Foundation f or Suicide Prevention found that about 90 percent of Americans believe that mental and physical health are equally important, yet they don’t receive equal treatment. The survey pointed out that about one-third of adults have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, but up to half of the adults have thought that they may have such a condition. The survey further indicates that while mental health is gaining more attention as a vital aspect of overall wellness, access to mental health care is a challenge for many individuals, either because the care is too expensive or people do not know where to find treatment. Some may hesitate to reach out for treatment because of lingering stigma. Mental health stigmas are still an issue in today’s society, but continuing awareness campaigns, along with more widespread access to appropriate treatment, can continue to battle the harmful negative attitudes that many people hold toward mental health disorders.