7 Expert Tips on Reducing Stigma of Mental Illness | Smart TMS

TMS Expert Blog

Irish TMS Technician Ailish follows her previous article on the stigma of mental illness with 7 practical tips on how we can all help.

How can you and I play our part in reducing stigma and discrimination of mental illness in our communities?

1. Educate yourself
   • Get the facts about mental health
   • Understanding helps us to be more compassionate about mental illness and helps to reduce prejudice

2. Educate others
   • Share your knowledge by passing on positive messages to others who are less aware
   • Challenge myths and stereotypes among others
   • Explain how negativity and myths can be very harmful and hurtful
3. Be aware of attitudes and behaviour
   • Those with mental illness are still unique human beings with a range of qualities
   • Be wary of labels or stereotypes that are unhelpful

3. Choose your words carefully
   • Avoid hurtful language to or about a person with mental illness
   • Your words can affect the way other people think and speak too

5. Focus on the positive
   • Focus on the positive contributions made by those with mental illness
   • It boosts them and sends out a positive message too

6. Support people
   • Offer dignity and respect to those with mental illness
   • Treat them as you’d wish to be treated yourself by giving positive support and encouragement

7. Include everyone
   • Avoid discrimination against those with mental illness – it’s illegal in many parts of the world
   • Support inclusion with regard to policies and legal protections for individuals with mental illness

“People with mental health and substance use problems have a right to take an equal part in society. Let’s make sure that happens.”

References:

Saxena, S., Thornicroft, G., Knapp, M., & Whiteford, H. (2007). Resources for mental health: scarcity, inequity, and inefficiency. The Lancet, 370(9590), 878-889. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(07)61239-

PRIVATE RTMS FOR DEPRESSION TREATMENT

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technological breakthrough in the treatment of depression and anxiety without drugs.

Additionally, there is clinical evidence for a variety of further potential treatment applications including: addictions (alcohol, cocaine, meth, nicotine, gambling) as well as DPD (Depersonalisation Disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), BPD (borderline personality disorder).

Smart TMS

Smart TMS was established in 2015, dedicated to providing TMS treatment in London at their South Kensington/Brompton Cross centre. The company opened a second clinic in Birmingham in September 2017 and also has a base in Northampton.  The first Irish clinic was opened in Dublin in October 2017 and in 2018, Smart TMS opened further locations in Manchester, Bristol and Havant (South Coast).

Contact Us

For any queries or for patients wishing to book an appointment at one of our UK clinics, please contact us:

• Tel:  0345 222 5678
• Email: info@smarttms.co.uk

Irish patients may contact Our Dublin Clinic direct on:

• Email: info@smarttms.ie
• Tel:  353 (01) 254 2514
• Website: www.smarttms.ie