What is mental health self-stigma? Is self-stigma impacting you? Kalichman (2019) defines mental health stigma as “the disgrace, social disapproval, or social discrediting of individuals with a mental health problem.” Stigma directly affects individuals with mental illness and the loved ones who support them, often including their family members. Subu (2021) states that self-stigma encompasses negative attitudes towards one’s own mental health or illness which may lead to a lack of self-efficacy with coping or perceived ability to recover; hesitancy to access treatment or help; and feelings of powerlessness or general lack of control when experiencing a mental health challenge.
