Coping with discrimination & stigma
What is it?
Discrimination, broadly, is a term used to describe the mistreatment of people based on things like race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age, and other parts of people’s identities. Stigma refers to negative perceptions and misunderstandings about certain individuals, groups or communities.
Sometimes, it can be hard to notice right away. In the United States, there have been massive efforts to combat discrimination, but unfortunately, it persists. Recent studies show nearly 70% of Americans have experienced some form of discrimination, and higher rates of experience with discrimination are related to poorer mental health outcomes and higher risk of suicide.1
In the case of mental health, stigma usually refers to unfair, negative assumptions about people who have mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and others. Common misconceptions about people with mental health conditions are that they are “lazy” or “crazy.”
These kinds of assumptions about people are hurtful. Stigma can also cause shame, which can make it harder to practice self-compassion and get help and care when you need it.
Anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and stigma
Despite higher visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ folks, discrimination targeted toward LGBTQ+ people is still a major issue. Interpersonal discrimination is also common for many LGBTQ+ folks who experience familial and social rejection at higher rates than their straight, cisgender peers.2
Transphobia involves negative attitudes, fear, and exclusion directed toward transgender or nonbinary people. Trans folks face undue amounts of violence, barriers to care and employment, and explicit, legal discrimination (“Dismantling a culture of violence”).
Homophobia and biphobia, prejudice and hatred toward gay and bisexual people, is similarly challenging. LGBTQ+ people are at significantly heightened risk for PTSD, depression, and other mental health conditions—not because of who they are, but because of the way they’re often discriminated against in society (American Psychiatric Association). Coping with phobia can be very difficult. That’s why access to safe and accepting mental health care and affirming communities is so important.
What's causing it?
Living through discrimination and stigma is far from easy. Understandably, it can inspire a range of emotional reactions; it can make people feel angry, ashamed, and afraid. It can even contribute to physical and mental health problems—though it’s important to note that isn’t inherently because of who you are but because of the negative impact of prolonged mistreatment.
Attitudes of fear and misunderstanding toward oppressed, underserved communities create stigma. These attitudes, while not always intentional, can develop into harmful beliefs that certain people are lazy, crazy, dangerous, uneducated, creepy, and more. There are a few kinds of stigma:
Public stigma is the negative or discriminatory attitudes held by the general public
Self-stigma or internalized stigma refers to negative attitudes about yourself that often reflect those held by the public
Institutional stigma is more systemic, involving policies (whether at a government or corporate/organizational level) that limit opportunities for certain people.
It’s common to experience multiple forms of discrimination at once, or different kinds at different times. This is called intersectionality. Basically, we are each empowered and oppressed by the intricate ways in which the parts of our identities intersect and how those intersections relate to systems of power (race, gender, class, etc).
A minority-stress framework can be useful for understanding how each of us is impacted by discrimination. Distal factors (things from the outside world like hate and prejudice) and proximal factors (things like shame, inside feelings developed as a result of distal factors) are balanced out by resilience factors (things that help you survive and thrive, like community, pride, and culture).
The consequences for your mental health vary widely based on what discrimination you might experience, and how much protection you have against it.
How should I deal with it?
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Build pride for your community
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Connect with others
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Keep a routine that involves self-care
What can I do now?
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Website | Support groupFind a Chapter | PFLAG
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Online directoryFind a Support Group | Psychology Today
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How-to articleHow to Find a Culturally Competent Therapist | The Jed Foundation
Citations
- American Psychological Association. The Impact of Discrimination
- The Trevor Project. Facts About Suicide Among LGBTQ+ Young People