Mental health stigma and discrimination cont.
Self-harm Whilst many mental health conditions may be invisible, young people who carry out self-harm behaviour often have scars or other visible signs that mark them noticeably. The attention these receive can add to stigma and discrimination. Many young people may hide their scars obsessively to prevent the negative consequences of them being seen. This may mean they find it extremely difficult to ask for help (87). False beliefs about people who self-harm include that they must enjoy the pain, or that they are doing it for attention. Neither is correct. Self-harm can often cause great physical pain and some use it as self-punishment. For others feelings of depression and numbness have caused them to try to feel something, even if it hurts. It’s important to know that, despite the portrayal of self-harm in the media, there is little evidence that self-harm is intrinsically connected to youth subcultures such as “goth” or “emo” (87). The effects of theses judgements and public ‘disgust’ promote the cycle of shame that leads to self-harm. They can lead to young people being deterred from seeking treatment in the future. It may also make them less likely to ask for help for any underlying poor mental health.with stress – their vulnerability – varies, so issues which one young person may deal with easily might be enough to cause another young person to develop poor mental health (75).
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