Understanding Stigma and How To Help
Life is full of challenges—some small, like choosing where to eat, and others much deeper, like navigating relationships, managing stress, or coping with mental health conditions. With 1 in 5 Americans living with a mental illness and more than half not receiving care, we must ask ourselves: what’s stopping them? One significant factor is stigma.
What Is Stigma, and Why Does It Matter?
Stigma is the negative perception of mental health issues, reducing individuals to labels rather than recognizing them as whole people. It exists in three main forms:
Public Stigma: Discriminatory attitudes from society
Self-Stigma: Internalized shame about one’s condition
Institutional Stigma: Systemic barriers such as lack of funding and limited access to care
Media often reinforces these stereotypes, portraying individuals with mental illness as violent or incapable. The reality? People with severe mental illnesses are 10 times more likely to be victims of violence than the general population.
The Real-World Impacts of Stigma
The effects of stigma around mental health are serious. Stigma and discrimination can make someone’s mental health problems worse or delay them from getting the care they need.
Some of the harmful effects of stigma include:
*reluctance to seek help or treatment, and increased likelihood of abandoning treatment once started
*social isolation
*bullying, harassment
*lack of access to physical health care
*unstable housing
*loss of hope that recovery is possible
For example, a trauma survivor may experience PTSD, depression, and anxiety but hesitate to seek help due to stigma. Insurance may cover physical health needs but neglect essential mental health support, leaving them struggling in silence.
Be A Solution
Learn: you don’t need to spend months poring through the Journal of Psychiatry to educate yourself on mental health topics. Books, social media resources, and conversations with people who live with mental health conditions can help break misconceptions you may have.
Words Matter: Be mindful of your language and remember that the person is not the illness. Your friend is not “bipolar.” Your friend is living with Bipolar Disorder. The illness does not define the person. You are not “OCD,” you have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Get Help: If you’re struggling with life’s challenges, don’t let stigma prevent you from getting the care you need. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Don’t be afraid to let others know that you’ve sought help. We offer walk-in hours at our locations where you don’t need an appointment. Simply walk in and be seen.
Your Voice Can Make A Difference
If you’re reading this, chances are you are someone who cares about others. You may not be a viral TikTok sensation, but you are an influencer. You may not be a rock star or pop icon, but you do have a voice. Share your own experiences, be the one who stands up when you see someone who is suffering, and remember that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.
Family Resource Center offers several services to help with DEPRESsION, ANXIETY, and stress:
PREVENTION/EDUCATION SERVICES
SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELING SERVICES (YOUTH) – We have counselors located at schools in Hancock, Auglaize, Allen, and Hardin Counties. These counselors are able to provide group or one-on-one service directly in schools, where students are. If you are interested in enrolling for these services please reach out to our call center or your local school counselor or principal to see what is offered at your school.
SCHOOL-BASED EDUCATION SERVICES (YOUTH) – Our prevention educators are located at schools in Hancock County to offer group education sessions for youth in grades K-12. These groups work to teach social-emotional skills, health education, life skills training, self-esteem/confidence, and many other topics. If you are interested in hearing more about these groups please reach out to your school counselor or principal to see what is offered at your school.
TREATMENT SERVICES
INDIVIDUAL OUTPATIENT SERVICES (ALL AGES) – Outpatient services are one-on-one counseling sessions delivered by providers with strong credentials and clinical expertise in all areas of behavioral health. Behavioral health counseling and therapy services consist of a series of time-limited, structured sessions that work towards reaching your defined goals.
PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES (ALL AGES) – We provide psychiatric/medical intervention and Medication Management to reduce and/or eliminate psychiatric symptoms with the goal of improved functioning, including management and reduction of symptoms.
GROUP SERVICES (ALL AGES) – Our agency provides a variety of groups for youth or adults to participate in. These groups are led by counselors as well as peers. Peer support services are led by individuals who have experienced a mental health and/or substance use disorder and are actively in recovery. To find a group session that is right for you, reach out to our call center and connect with a counselor to discuss options with you.
RECOVERY
Our organization believes that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover. We are about helping people find their path forward and seeing life through a hopeful lens. This is about more than programs, services and resources. This is about people who care deeply. People who have dedicated their lives to helping others. People who see not only the challenges others face, but the person who faces them. When you are ready to take the next step towards recovery please reach out to our call center to find the best fit of services for your individual needs.
3 ways to enroll in Services
ONLINE SCREENING
Answer a few short questions to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a behavioral health professional. This screening is completely anonymous and confidential.
OPEN ACCESS HOURS
We have services available at in-person sites in seven different counties, including Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, and Hardin.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
To get connected with a counselor and enroll in services please call our call-center. They will walk you through the enrollment process and connect you with the right services and counselors.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS EXPERIENCING IMMEDIATE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS OR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, PLEASE CALL THE CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBER FOR THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOU’RE LOCATED.
Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties: 1.800.567.4673
Hancock County: 1.888.936.7116