Mental Health and overcoming stigma
Mental health remains a significant concern in the UK in 2025, with various statistics highlighting the prevalence and seriousness of the situation.
Approximately 1 in 4 adults in England will experience a mental health problem each year, according to a 2025 survey carried out by the Priory, the cost of which is thought to be £300 billion anually.
Mental health problems refer to a wide range of conditions that affect a person's thoughts, feelings, behaviours, or mood, with common diagnoses including:
Depression: characterised by feelings of hopelessness and loss of interest in activities, it can also cause physical symptoms like changes in appetite, sleep disturbances and low energy.
Anxiety Disorders: these include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety and phobias. Individuals are likely to experience excessive worry and fear that interferes with their daily lives.
Bipolar Disorder: can involve extreme mood swings; emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) which affect sleep, judgment and the ability to think clearly.
Schizophrenia: a potentially severe mental health condition that affects a person’s perception of reality. Symptoms can include hallucinations and delusions, making it difficult for people to distinguish what is real.
Eating Disorders: includes conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder and are characterised by unhealthy eating behaviours and distorted body image.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): usually occurs after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, which can severely impact day-to-day life.
The causes of mental health issues will of course vary from person to person but a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors are commonly culpable. Family history and genetic predisposition can play a role in the development of certain mental health disorders.
A report by the BBC’s Trust Me I’m a Doctor found that: ‘if one of your parents has depression then you are two times more likely to develop depression. For bipolar disorder, you are four times more likely and if one of your parents has schizophrenia, then you are eight times more likely to suffer from it.’
Imbalances in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) can contribute to conditions like depression or schizophrenia whilst life experiences like trauma, poverty and abuse can trigger or worsen the spectrum of mental health conditions.
What are the treatment options?
There are various ways to manage mental health problems effectively. These include:
Therapy encompasses cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and counselling, which can help individuals understand and manage their thoughts and behaviours.
Medication including antidepressants, betablockers and antipsychotics are sometimes prescribed to reduce symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes like regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness or meditation can improve cognitive clarity.
Support Systems engaging in social support networks, such as family, friends, or support groups, can provide individuals with emotional and practical help.
Mental health issues are treatable, but they often require understanding and support in order to manage effectively.
Seeking help early is crucial for better outcomes and recovery, however the Priory report continues to state that 35% of 18–25 year-olds do not seek any formal or informal help, with 22% citing perceived stigma as the most significant barrier to their accessing mental health care.
Similarly, half of UK adults believe there is still a great deal of shame associated with mental health conditions according to a report last year by Mind.
What is mental health stigma?
Mental health stigma refers to the negative attitudes and stereotypes that society can hold towards people who experience mental health conditions. This stigma so often results in a reluctance to seek help.
Being mentally healthy is as important as maintaining your physical health, yet this stigma often prevents individuals from accessing the support and treatment they may desperately need.
When we consider stigma, it can be broken down into the following three categories:
Public Stigma: This is the general societal attitude that commonly associates mental health conditions with weakness or abnormality. It often results in people with mental health conditions being judged or treated differently.
Self-Stigma: This occurs when individuals internalise these negative stereotypes and feel shame or embarrassment about their mental health struggles. It can lead to lower self-esteem and reluctance to seek help.
Structural Stigma: This refers to societal or institutional policies that disadvantage people with mental health conditions. For example, workplaces may not offer sufficient mental health support, or healthcare systems may not prioritise mental health services.
The Impact of Stigma
Stigma commonly creates barriers to treatment.
People may avoid seeking help due to fear of being judged or misunderstood. This in turn leads to feelings of isolation and sufferers can become more likely to withdraw socially and disconnect from their communities and loved ones. These elements, combined with ongoing stress and shame, can exacerbate the mental health condition making recovery far more challenging.
Let’s not also forget that delaying seeking support for poor mental health can take a huge toll on your body and increase your risk of developing other chronic physical conditions.
For example, a recent report by Missouri University states that anxiety can increase the risk of arthritis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and high blood pressure. Similarly depression heightens the likelihood of diabetes, heart disease and stroke whilst stress raises your chance for obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
It has therefore never been more important to fight stigma and break down this barrier to seeking mental health support. This can be achieved in several ways:
Education – Learning about mental health and correcting myths.
Open conversations – Talking honestly about mental health like any other health issue.
Language – Using respectful, non-judgmental language.
Support – Encouraging and supporting others in getting help.
Sharing stories – Personal stories can really help humanise the experience and show that mental illness is not a character flaw.
Supporting Policies - Advocating for policies that promote mental health, such as better access to care and workplace accommodations.
Fostering an environment where mental health is discussed openly and without shame is key to breaking down stigma. Everyone can play a part in this by being more compassionate, understanding and encouraging those who need support to seek it without fear of judgment.
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." - Charles Dickens