1. MY ORAL PRESENTATION: TACKLING
MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN
EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITIES
SHAIKHA AL ZAABI (202320847)
2. 1 - Mental health stigma
in high school and
college communities.
2 - The causes and
effects behind our
issue.
3 - Humanizing
mental health
struggles.
4 - Conclusion of the
community's struggle
with mental health
stigma and media
portrayals.
TOPICS WE’RE GOING TO
COVER:
3. ISSUE: MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN EDUCATIONAL
COMMUNITIES
Overview: Widespread stigma about mental health exists in high school
and college settings.
Media Influence: The problem intensifies due to negative portrayals of
mental health in the media.
Stereotypes: People with mental health challenges are often depicted
as extreme, violent, or unlikely to recover.
Consequences: This misrepresentation has real consequences, creating
an environment where students and faculty dealing with mental health
issues may feel judged and face discrimination.
Impact: The resulting stigma negatively affects the well-being of the
community, posing a significant challenge to the learning environment.
4. CAUSES AND EFFECTS
CAUSES EFFECTS
“One reason mental health issues are
misrepresented in books, films, news sources and
TV shows is a misunderstanding of mental illness,
according to South University associate professor
Devin Byrd. Writers in the entertainment industry
need to put more effort into depicting health issues
accurately if they want to make a difference.
However, sometimes writers misrepresent mental
illness simply because it creates conflict in a story.
And conflict is interesting — it’s what draws an
audience in.” (Boyles, 2018)
Lack of Education:
Insufficient education and awareness about mental
health contribute to misconceptions.
Shapes societal attitudes, fostering stigmatizing beliefs and
perceptions.
Perpetuates stereotypes and prevents the development of a
supportive community.
“ Discourage people from getting the help they need
Make recovery more difficult because people feel less confident
Promote discrimination in the workplace, school or any social
situation
Cause isolation because of fear
Negatively impact friends, family and relationships
Create the view that those who have a mental health problem are
outsiders
Damage self-image “ (Boyles, 2018)
5. Human Connection:
Show empathy and understanding to those facing mental health
challenges in our community.
Academic Success:
Tackling stigma creates an environment where students can
excel without mental health biases holding them back.
Community Well-Being:
The overall health of our community is linked to the mental well-
being of its members.
WHY IS THIS
PROBLEM
IMPORTANT?
6. POTENTIAL SOLUTION
Create safe spaces for
mental health
Create spaces where people feel
free to openly discuss mental
health, whether in physical
locations or online. These settings
aim to nurture a culture of trust
and understanding, providing
individuals with a safe platform
for conversations about mental
well-being.
7. CONCLUSION
Community Challenge:
Facing the hurdle of mental health stigma.
Empowerment:
We hold the power to make a change.
Advocacy:
Let's champion a community where discussing mental health is not just accepted
but celebrated.
8. REFERENCES
Boyles, O. (2018, September 18). Ways Mental Illness Is Commonly
Misrepresented in the Media | ICANotes. ICA Notes.
https://www.icanotes.com/2018/04/11/ways-mental-illness-is-
commonlymisrepresented-in-the-media/
Marshall-Seslar, A. (2022, August 8). Why Mental Health is Important
for Students. McMillen Health.
https://www.mcmillenhealth.org/tamtalks/student-mentalhealth
Beyari, H. (2023). The relationship between social media and the
increase in mental health problems. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2383.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032383
