Link – Is There a Stigma Against Open Discussions about Mental Illness Online?
“This is why we can’t have nice things.
As millennials and teens turn more to social media and other online sources for validation and connectivity, they will find new forms of healing through these online interactions.
Celebrities like Demi Lovato have endorsed this behavior, such as with her “Be Vocal: Speak Up For Mental Health” campaign. Yet it has lead to a new conundrum…
There is a misconceived attitude that those who share their stories about mental health issues are just trying to be trendy.
There is also a massive amount of risk for online interactions (trolling, bullying) with damaging effects. This consideration silences some who would like to share their stories and may delay their healing.”
In short, you’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. I want everyone dealing with mental health issues to be able to freely speak their mind, and share their stories. I think the world is a better place when we can do that.
But, sharing your story in public is not without risk. There is still stigma, and now there’s the additional stigma of “you just want attention”.
Yes, because we all just love having everyone we know walk on eggshells around us, and people we don’t know judging how sick we “really are”. That sounds like a good time.
It is, however, exactly what we get. Yes, we get support and sympathy and a chance to connect with other people in the same boat, and that makes the rest of this worth it for many, but it might not be for everyone. That’s just sad.
