Why does mental illness still face stigma? While most people would never think of making fun of someone with cancer, or any other physical illness, mental health disorders and conditions still remain fair game for ridicule.

Mental vs. physical
Why does the stigma of mental illnesses continue? For one thing, the term "mental illness" suggests that it's not the same as a medical or physical illness. To some, the word "mental" suggests that the illness is not a legitimate medical condition but rather a problem caused by your own choices and actions. People may blame you and think your condition is "all in your head." Furthermore, there are no blood tests or physical evidence to prove that mental illness exists. Professionals can only diagnose mental illness through self-reports and behavior. They may think that a mental health disorder means that you're weak or lazy. They may think that you should just "get over it." And you may begin to think these things about yourself, too.

In reality, mental illnesses have very complex causes, often a mix of your genetics, your biology and your life experiences - most of which are beyond your control. Neuroimaging studies, for instance, show physical changes in the brain associated with mental disorders. And studies show that some mental illnesses run in families, suggesting that they may be due in part to genetics.

Some people also believe that if you have a mental health disorder, you must be dangerous and violent. This perception is often inflamed by media accounts of crime in which someone is vaguely referred to as "mentally ill."

Statistics, however, don't emphasize any connection between mental illnesses and violence. In fact, most people suffering from mental illness are neither violent nor criminals.

Todd Stern M.Ed.