Breaking the stigma around mental health

Everyone struggles with their mental health at times.

Whether it’s due to stress at work, the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or genetic predispositions, everyone experiences difficult thoughts and emotions. What makes these struggles even more challenging is the shame that often accompanies them, causing many to hide what’s really going on.

The stigma surrounding mental health can worsen issues such as anxiety or depression and prevent people from getting the support they need. Shame thrives in isolation, and when we don’t talk about the real struggles of mental health, things tend to get worse instead of better.

To clarify, being mentally healthy does not mean feeling calm, peaceful, and happy all the time. Stress is a natural part of life, and mental health is about developing the skills, tools, and resilience to handle life’s ups and downs as best we can. Just as one would visit a doctor when they’re physically ill or work with a coach to improve fitness, it’s essential to seek a therapist or counsellor when struggling mentally. 

Unfortunately, while there’s more conversation around mental health today than in the past, the stigma still persists.

Myths and Misconceptions

The stigma around mental health has deep historical roots, stemming from a lack of education, cultural misconceptions, and fear. Early mental health institutions totally lacked understanding of mental illness, and were simply places to lock away those who were “different” or “mad”, while often subjecting them to inhumane conditions. Some asylums, like Bedlam in London, even offered tours to the public, treating patients as spectacles for entertainment.

A common myth is that mental health struggles are a choice, and that someone could just “snap out of it” if they wanted to. Yet, anyone who has faced mental health challenges knows it’s not that simple. Without professional support, it can feel impossible to find hope.

Another outdated belief is that mental health issues are a sign of weakness, when in fact they are diagnosable medical conditions—not personal flaws.

Mental health problems are widespread. In Ireland, approximately one in four people will experience a mental health issue during their lifetime—twice the global average. One reason for this may be the stigma and shame that delay people from seeking help. Traditional Irish values of resilience and self-reliance can also contribute to hesitancy in speaking out about personal struggles. Additionally, the country’s pub culture can both mask and exacerbate mental health issues, as individuals turn to alcohol to escape their problems, only for the suppression to worsen symptoms over time. All these factors reinforce the stigma surrounding mental health, leading to delayed treatment, and sometimes social exclusion and internalized shame.

How to Recognise You’re Struggling with Your Mental Health

Mental health struggles manifest in many forms, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others. These conditions can bring feelings of loneliness, overwhelm, and hopelessness. They can affect sleep, eating habits, social behaviour, and motivation.

Ultimately, mental health influences nearly every aspect of life, yet despite being all-consuming, mental health struggles are often invisible to others—but that doesn’t make them any less real.

Breaking the Stigma

The more we talk about mental health, the more we normalise it, thus reducing stigma and making it easier for those in need to seek help. These conversations may feel uncomfortable at first, but they become easier with time. In Ireland, there’s a tendency to downplay one’s problems with phrases such as “it is what it is” or “sure, what can you do?”

While these expressions acknowledge the issue, they also dismiss it, shutting down further discussion. It’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to talk about it. Just as you would discuss a physical illness openly, mental health should be treated the same way.

Talking about mental health struggles as a normal part of life — not as a sign of weakness or “being crazy”— encourages others to speak up and seek help. When someone opens up, responding with empathy and compassion, rather than judgment or attempts to “fix” the problem, can make all the difference. Simply listening can be powerful.

Whether it’s with friends, a therapist, or a support group, talking about what’s really going on lightens the load and helps others feel less alone.

Your Feelings are Valid

There’s still a lot of pejorative language around mental health in Ireland, such as “away with the fairies,” “cuckoo,” “loony bin,” and “schizo.” Challenging these terms and recognising that mental health struggles are real is key to reducing stigma.

Most importantly, reaching out for professional support—whether through a doctor, prescribed medication, or therapy—and encouraging others to do the same, is invaluable.

Stop minimising your feelings. Yes, others may be facing extreme hardships, but that doesn’t make your struggles any less real or valid. Seeking professional support and talking about your mental health with a compassionate, non-judgmental listener can lighten the load. The first step—reaching out—is often the hardest, but it’s also the most important.

Mirin Mooney is a neurodivergent mental health coach and trainee psychotherapist, for more info visit www.wildheart-wellness.com

Supports

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please reach out for the help you need:

Aware: www.aware.ie

Samaritans: www.samaritans.org

Pieta: www.pieta.ie

Jigsaw: www.jigsaw.ie

Bodywhys: www.bodywhys.ie