about mental illness
Mental illness isn’t rare – it can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or lifestyle. In fact, 1 in 4 people can experience a mental illness in their lifetime. It intersects with other challenges, such as poverty, physical health conditions and isolation, creating a complex web that makes healing more difficult without proper support.
In Scotland, mental illness is a growing concern: 11.3% of the population reported living with a mental illness in the most recent census – an increase from 4.4% in 2011. Among young people aged 16 to 24, this figure has risen dramatically from 2.5% to 15.4%.
To fully understand mental illness, it’s essential to explore its connection to mental health, examine the role of language and confront the stigma that perpetuates discrimination.
mental health’ and ‘mental illness’
The terms ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ are often used freely as if they mean the same thing, but this is not accurate.
The interchangeable use of terms like mental health conditions, mental illness and mental disorder adds to the confusion. While “mental disorder” is a clinical term used in medical settings, it can often feel stigmatising to those it attends to describe.
A person-centred approach is essential. Speaking with the person affected about how they prefer their condition to be referred to helps ensure dignity and respect. Some may feel more comfortable with terms like “mental health condition” rather than “disorder” or “illness.” Using language guided by the person affected shows that you care and are interested in the person rather than their condition.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental illnesses are conditions characterised by significant disturbances in a person’s thoughts, emotions or behaviour, as well as their relationships and daily functioning. There are many different types of mental illnesses.
Some common ones include:
- Anxiety disorders, including selective mutism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and phobias
- Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders including borderline personality disorder (BPD or EUPD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and psychosis.
They can range in severity and may be influenced by biological, psychological and social factors.
Mental health, according to WHO, is a state of wellbeing where individuals can cope with the stresses of life, work productively and contribute to their community. It is about emotional, psychological and social wellbeing, not just the absence of illness.
Mental health and mental illness are not the same but they are connected. Research explains it as two separate but connected scales.
Think of it as two sliders:
Mental health slider: This shows how strong or balanced someone feels mentally. It can range from thriving (feeling great, managing challenges well) to struggling (feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or emotionally low).
Mental illness slider: This reflects whether someone has a diagnosable condition, like anxiety or depression and how severe their symptoms are.
The key is that these sliders can move independently of each other. For instance:
- A person with bipolar might have periods where their symptoms are well-managed and they feel mentally strong and happy.
- A person without a diagnosed mental illness might still feel emotionally overwhelmed or low due to life challenges, stress, burnout or trauma.
This interconnected model shows that everyone has mental health, whether or not they have a mental illness. It also highlights why it’s important to support both fronts – helping those with mental illness manage their symptoms and improve their mental health and helping those without mental illness maintain their emotional wellbeing.
“There is still so much misunderstanding about severe and enduring mental illness and conditions. Behaviours people see are often coping mechanisms, but due to a lack of understanding, they can be misinterpreted as dangerous.
“In reality, these behaviours are ways for someone to protect themselves.”
Lynne Penman, an Outreach Worker working with Shona supported by Hearing Voices service. You can read Shona’s story here.
the role of language around mental illness
Language plays a powerful role in shaping how we perceive and discuss mental illness. Respectful and precise language helps reduce stigma and build empathy. Being mindful of the words we choose can make a difference in how people feel about themselves and their mental health experiences.
- Avoid terms like “crazy” or “unstable”.
- Use person-first language, such as “a person with depression”, rather than reducing someone to their condition by saying “a depressed person”.
- Avoid terms like “suffering from” that implies helplessness. Use “managing” or “living with” instead.
Some terms to understand:
Stigma: Negative beliefs and attitudes about mental health challenges, often leading to discrimination and social exclusion.
Self-stigma: When people internalise societal stigma, leading to feelings of shame or avoiding reaching out for support.
Emotional resilience: The ability to adapt to and recover from stress, adversity or challenges while maintaining emotional balance.
Comorbidity: When a person experiences more than one mental illness or a combination of mental and physical health conditions simultaneously.
Triggers: Events, situations or stimuli that can cause or worsen symptoms of a mental illness, such as stress, trauma or certain environments.
Intrusive thoughts: Unwanted, distressing thoughts or images that can occur with conditions like OCD, anxiety or PTSD. These are often misunderstood as reflective of a person’s desires or intentions, which they are not.
why is mental illness so stigmatised?
The stigma surrounding mental illness has far-reaching consequences, affecting people on personal and societal levels. It often discourages people from seeking help, leaves them feeling isolated and ashamed. For many, the fear of being judged can be as hard to handle as the illness itself. Stigma also creates systemic barriers, such as discrimination in the workplace or limited access to support.
Research from See Me Scotland reveals that over half of people with mental illness in Scotland have experienced discrimination because of their condition. This includes difficulties in accessing healthcare, a lack of support in the workplace and alienation in personal relationships.
Some of the factors causing stigma include:
Fear and misinformation
Myths about mental illness, such as associating it with violence, increase fear and discrimination.
Invisibility
Unlike physical conditions, mental illnesses often lack visible symptoms, leading to disbelief or dismissal.
Cultural norms
In some societies, mental illness is linked to shame or seen as a moral failing.
Media representation
Sensationalised portrayals in movies and news reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Understanding mental illness starts with learning and listening. By learning about conditions, we can create a better support system for people living with mental illness and for their carers. When we talk openly about mental illness, we can see how it affects lives, respect the experiences of those involved and make sure that no one needs to face mental illness alone.
support
Our Advice and Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30pm), where advisers can signpost you to local support that most fits your needs, including our Change Mental Health services. We offer initial advice on money worries and help to deal with emergencies.
Contact 0808 8010 515, email us at advice@changemh.org or fill out the enquiry form on the Advice and Support Service page.
