I always found the sentence “Stop the stigma” interesting. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of stigma is “n. a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person”. From a social perspective, forgetting our modern day interpretations, stigma identifies a person in our society that is physically different, has known deviation traits, or what is stated as “tribal stigma.” In a homogenous society, those characteristics help protect the many from a perceived threat or help the many avoid an otherwise unfavorable and less desirable person. This happens in the animal world without so many words – the weaker animal is not selected for mating, is not protected by the group, and may be ostracized where it is left to its own accords. It is a powerful tool of preservation. 

Our current use for this word often accompanies modern social topics with the aim of dismantling associated stigmas like those against homosexuality, age, race, weight,  and mental health. If we compare stigma objectively we are identifying a normal human behavior which separates the “us” and “them” by signaling unfavorable characteristics in “them”. Forgetting our personal inclinations and the social pressures to respond in any such way, why would a community, for example,  welcome mental health difficulties or diseases openly? Why would homosexuality be celebrated when it biologically accounts for one less male or female for procreation? In contrast, our progression as a society is intertwined with our ability to step away from what is animalistically instinctual in favor of logic,  rationalization and acceptance. It is not an easy thing to do as we account for our ongoing struggles with racism, for example. Therefore, one can conclude that part of progression means accepting the different.

Continuing with mental health as an example, we have come to learn that growing numbers of people suffer from mental health issues caused by natural circumstances, traumatic encounters, highly stimulated environments, etc. Per 2018 U.S. statistics conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Justice, one in five adults suffers from mental illness and 17% of young adults aged 6 – 17 experience a mental health disorder.  Awareness toward the difficulties experienced by this group of people has created an increasingly welcoming environment for the afflicted to seek counseling, therapy, and self-help guidance to overcome the associated barriers. These people are applauded for vocalizing their needs and fearlessly educating others in a topic they may know little about personally. Removing the stigma completely would remove the labels placed on this group of people and allow them to rejoin their societies without discrimination. In opening communication we have become better people filled with compassion and devoid of hate. The question is, have we acted as better humans? Have we improved the makeup of our society? Have we made our tribe stronger? Have we protected ourselves and future generations? 

I have given this topic a considerable amount of thought in light recent developments in my own personal life. I have struggled with ongoing negative inner dialogues for several years which have distorted my trust in people. It was only this week that I finally decided to seek a licensed therapist who could guide me out of this murky forest. It took me a while to choose this course of action because these thoughts did not impede my work or daily tasks, and I am generally happy. I also had to consider other biases – social media has unfortunately romanticized mental health to a point where it is either desirable or overly warped in such a way that it discredits those that actually need support. Younger generations are mistakenly evaluating normal human emotions and equating them to those that seriously hinder the afflicted from going about their day. I did not want to be one of those people. I also admit that I stigmatized therapy thinking that it was a sign of weakness. I was determined to self-heal and reprogram myself sans aide; that is until I went on a two day downward spiral and was having a hard time changing my mindset. In a moment, I realized my social identity was on the line; instantly a wave of compassion rose within me.

On a broader scale, the frustrations of stigmatization are several: 

• Those who are stigmatized historically develop low self-esteem and begin to act in a way that fortifies the stereotype placed upon them by the larger group. This in turn deforms their perspective of the situation and themselves thus decreasing their willingness to fight the labels.
• The stigmatizer’s behavior  suggests they feel threatened. By categorizing others, they  depersonalize the stigmatized, increase their sense of control, and justify downward comparison. Changing the mindset of this person is significantly difficult.
• Stigmatization is a social process and not an individual process. Societies create stigmas by creating simplified groups based on generalizations and judging them on what is relevant for that specific society, race, or period in time. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the many to change for the few. 

The behavior sounds inevitable and is undoubtedly powerful in its efficiency towards keeping order (e.g. criminal activity) and outlining regulated conduct. That said, it can be challenged as outlined by Campbell (2005) in the American Journal of Public Health by targeting the foundations that justify it. While it is “human” it is also learned behavior from prior generations; the narrative has the potential to be changed before it begins.

1. Education
2. Legislation
3. Community Participation – active anti-stigmatization within a local community

I leave you with a few lingering thoughts – humans rely so heavily on their intellect that they forget the animal component in the pursuit of distinguishing themselves as higher beings. Unfortunately, with situations such as these, we reveal our own biases, bigotry, and our weak resistance to groupthink. At the same time, we condemn discrimination and ostracising behavior within other societies if they have  isolated groups that differ from our own. Essentially, it comes down to trust and deviancy – do we trust that our communities are sufficiently evolved to understand the differences in others and grow from the diversity? Have we the will to be the deviants that break down the walls and encourage communication?

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I was conflicted in writing this post. I wanted to be objective in nature and analytical of my own prejudices. My goal was to justify the stigmatizer to better verbalize the conflicting dialogue between the mind and the animal within all of us. I do not deny that I held certain stigmas until it became personal, and it is because of this that I can understand why stopping the stigma is difficult and why the conversation needs to start now. I encourage you to answer the following questions genuinely and not be afraid of thinking something that is not politically correct – which in itself is another stigmatization. You see, you are both the stigmatizer and the stigmatized depending on the topic and it is worth your self-image and self-examination to be honest individually before we as a community can discuss our deficiencies. I encourage you to answer without anger and keep a scientific mindset.

1. Are there limits on what we can understand and welcome? 
2. How important is compassion in understanding that which is different from us?
3. Can we truly accept “them” or will we continue discriminating privately?
4. Will we give “them” the same opportunities? 
5. How do we justify accepting “them” and what they represent?
6. How important are our human (animal) needs? Are they valid?
7. Do I feel threatened by “them”?
8. How genuine are our personal ideals of acceptance?
9. Is acceptance for the sake of acceptance a valid argument?