Mental health conditions are common yet still too often misunderstood. In the United States, more than one in five adults live with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Despite how many lives these conditions touch, stigma continues to be a major barrier to people seeking the support they need. Marie DiDario, DO, chief medical officer, RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center and Chief Medical Officer Behavioral Health Services for RWJBarnabas Health shares how we can move from stigma to support.
Knowledge Is a Powerful First Step
Understanding mental health starts with education. The more we know about what mental illness looks like, the better equipped we are to recognize signs in ourselves and others. Learning about symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options helps break down fear and replace it with empathy. Sharing what you learn with family, friends, or coworkers and having open, informed conversations about mental health can help normalize it.
Words Matter
The language we use when talking about mental health plays a powerful role in shaping public perception. Words that are dismissive or hurtful like “crazy” or “unstable” only reinforce outdated and damaging ideas. Instead, opt for respectful, people-first language. For example, say “a person living with bipolar disorder” rather than “a bipolar person.” It may feel like a small shift, but it makes a big impact in reinforcing dignity and reducing shame.
Start the Conversation
Talking openly about mental health, whether it’s sharing your own story or listening to someone else’s, can be transformative. Personal experiences humanize mental health conditions and help break the silence that stigma thrives in. When people feel safe to talk about what they’re going through, without fear of judgment, healing can begin. And when you hear others use stigmatizing language or spread misinformation, don’t be afraid to speak up.
People Are More Than Their Diagnosis
A diagnosis can be helpful in guiding treatment, but it doesn’t define a person. People living with mental illness are parents, teachers, students, friends, and community members. Just like any other health condition, mental illness is one part of a person’s story. Leading with compassion and respect in every interaction helps reinforce the truth: mental health challenges do not diminish a person’s worth.
Encourage Treatment and Support
No one should be made to feel ashamed for seeking help—or encouraging others to do the same. Early intervention and access to treatment can make a life-changing difference. Therapy, medication, peer support, and community resources all play a role in recovery and resilience.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Stigma can take many forms: misconceptions, harmful language, judgment, and even silence. It can come from society, media, institutions, and sometimes even from within. But the good news is that we each have the power to shift the conversation toward one that is compassionate, inclusive, and rooted in understanding. This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s commit to building a culture where mental health is understood, supported, and treated with the same care and seriousness as physical health.
If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care offer compassionate, expert behavioral health services for children, adults, and families across New Jersey. Learn more at rwjbh.org/behavioralhealth