By sharing personal stories and insights of those affected by mental health, The CP Diary is able to break down barriers and increase understanding. It promotes empathy and compassion towards those who struggle with mental health, and encourages conversations that are often avoided.

The importance of 'Mental Health'

The importance of mental health cannot be stressed enough. It affects every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our work. And yet, it is still treated as a taboo subject. The CP Diary is playing a crucial role in changing this narrative.

Education, awareness and acceptance breaks down stigma

Through education, awareness, and acceptance, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health. It is time to start talking about it, and The CP Diary is leading the way.

I understand the importance of discussing and addressing mental health issues. It takes courage to talk about mental health, but it is essential to overcome the stigma and seek help.

Please Reach Out...

It can be helpful to reach out to a trusted friend or family member, a mental health professional, or a support group. Taking care of our mental health is as important as taking care of our physical health.

So, let's start talking about it and seeking help if needed.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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4 comments on “Stigma and Mental Health”

  1. People who haven't dealt with this issue don't understand what it's like. Part of me has been struggling with the issue of being stigmatised for having mental health issues.

    We, the people who deal with mental health issues, have names and lives, so why should we be treated differently, like we don't exist?

    I also want to feel like I have made some kind of difference and don't want to end up feeling like my life was completely wasted.

    1. Thanks Randy. Yes, anyone dealing with mental health issues will feel what we feel.

      Someone doesn't have to say something to you that meets with their disapproval. Stigma can be subtle. In other cases, it can be obvious, particularly if there is a strong feeling of disapproval.

      One of the major obstacles to someone seeking treatment for addiction, is the stigma attached to the disease.

      When it comes to any kind of disability that is absolutely true. Difference is still not something society accepts as the norm.

  2. We have seen some positive strides towards treating anyone with a difference with equality, but in common with other prejudices, it'll be a long-time before the negativity around people dealing with mental health issues disappears.

    You would have thought (or at least, hoped) that the world dealing with a pandemic, which we could never have conceived possible, we'd pull together and start treating each other with respect.

    But we live in polarising times and mental health stigma, sadly hasn't moved on much.

    1. I remember listening to a documentary about the pandemic by a scientist, who said it could have gone one of two ways.

      The way you suggest vis a vis polarisation, or the world could have pulled together to support, (not to be confused with what doctors and nurses initially did to help the sick) to be more caring, to be more tolerant and more patient.

      Instead, the opposite has happened. Governments ignoring people's plights; mental health at critical levels now, the world is more inward looking, and it is polarised. We're failing to reach out to help others.

      Lifting restrictions, leaving the vulnerable and high risk at home is part of that, with their lives put on hold.

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