Introduction

In an age where information flows freely and conversations are evolving, the realm of healthcare is experiencing a remarkable shift. Mental health, nonce relegated to the shadows, has stepped into the spotlight. In recent years, the conversation around mental health has gained significant momentum. The stigma that once shrouded mental health issues is gradually being dismantled, thanks to increased awareness and education. No longer are mental health concerns a matter of hushed secrecy. But there is still a long way to go & challenges to be addressed head-on.

Understanding stigma in Mental health 

Stigma constitutes the negative attitudes and beliefs that society may hold towards certain individuals. For example in many parts of the world, patients with leprosy were thought to have been cursed and were cast out from the general masses. Similarly, individuals with mental health challenges have been facing stigma for millenia. For many centuries such individuals were separated from society and kept in asylums or even left in isolation. Such was the treatment that the stigma associated still carries on in some form. Self-stigma is also a prominent issue with persons with mental challenges. This includes the negativistic attitude the person may harbor for themselves. They may consider themselves defective and may thus hesitate from realizing their potential leading to unfulfilled lives.

 Breaking the Stigma

Defeating stigma is one of the main pillars of the current approach to addressing mental health issues. In the western world significant progress has already been made. Now it’s our turn to combat the same. The Mental Health Act 2017 was a major step in this direction in our country. It has changed the way we look at mental health institutions and also advocates the necessity to treat all patients alike. It has abolished practices of asylums and physical aggressive practices which were used with such patients. Nowadays, mental health issues are being openly spoken of in radio, TV, social media and print media. This vastly helps in reducing stigmas. Various government and non-government run programs help in spreading information and encourage persons with mental health issues and their families to seek help. The approach to treatment by the mental healthcare professional also nis a means to address stigma. In our practice we educate our patients and their family members readily regarding the challenges and try to reduce their stigmas to the best possible. In our experience, reassurance, often done repeatedly, is one of the best means to achieve the same. When we are able to build trust with the family members, often the biggest burden of stigma is lifted. Encouragement to the person suffering from the illness also helps in dismantling the self-stigma. We provide occupational therapy and try to increase the patient’s output in various forms of life. As patients gradually resume normal activities without considering themselves any lesser than others, the self-stigma also begins to dissolve. Through dynamic awareness campaigns, community engagement initiatives, and open dialogues, we are working diligently to cultivate an environment in which individuals are unafraid to seek the support they deserve.

Conclusion

Rajeshwar Super Speciality Hospital and our Psychiatry Department proudly stands as an advocate for the understanding and support of mental health in the modern era. With a team of compassionate professionals, an encompassing approach to care, and an unyielding commitment to breaking the stigma, we extend our hand to those seeking mental health support. Our approach is holistic care as we focus on the individual as a whole. We also dedicate ample time to the relatives or caregivers of the patients. We try to break down notions of stigma at every level. Rajeshwar Super Speciality Hospital once again stands at the forefront of a paradigm shift, recognizing the crucial importance of mental health. As a leading mental hospital in Patna, our team of dedicated psychiatrists is committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and ensuring that every individual receives the support they deserve. Let us walk this journey together, fostering a future where mental well-being is cherished, stigma is banished, and every individual is empowered to embrace their full potential.