Take the Stigma Challenge!

Read each question below and select an answer. Then compare your answer to the answer key to find out if you’re a Stigma Buster Jr. or a fully-fledged Stigma Buster.

1-3 correct: You are a Stigma Buster Jr. Maybe you didn’t know all the answers the first time, but I bet if you take this challenge again, you can be a Stigma Buster.

4-5 correct: You are a Stigma Buster! Seems like you really get it. Now take what you know and work in your community to beat stigma.

Question 1
Melinda has three boys, is a marketing director, loves the outdoors, and has bipolar disorder.

Melinda and her friend from high school went for a cup of coffee.
When Melinda explained how depressed she had been a few months back, her friend said, “Melinda. It’s just mind over matter. This culture is over medicated already. If you eat right and think positive, you don’t need that medicine. Just think happy thoughts.” / Which of the following is correct? Check the correct answer(s) below.
☐People who say “it’s just mind over matter” increase the stigma that it’s not ok to get the right medications to treat a mental illness.
☐Melinda’s friend could recognize the legitimacy of mental illness and encourage Melinda to get the healthcare she needs when she needs it.
☐Happy thought are all it takes to cure mental illness.
Question 2
Isaac isn’t a football player, computer geek, comedian or anything else that high school kids care about. He’s feeling like nothing he does is ever good enough—not in his eyes or anyone else’s. He’s sick of feeling like a loser and doesn’t see the point of life. He thought about going to a counselor, but if someone sees him there, he might be labeled as crazy.
/ Which of the following is correct? Check the correct answer(s) below:
☐There is no stigma around mental illness. People in this community readily seek out and receive an abundance of mental health care.
☐The negative stigma around having a mental illness is what prevents some from seeking treatment.
☐Mental illness stigma can be real or perceived.
Question 3
Tammy and Shirley are jogging. During the first mile, Tammy says, “Guess what my crazy neighbor did last night—yes, another episode in the neighborhood--”
/ Which of the following is correct? Check the correct answer(s) below:
☐Tammy showed that she knows her neighbor like a friend, what her condition is, and the type of support she needs when an episode occurs. She was compassionate and kind in how she spoke.
☐The label of a crazy neighbor is hurtful and may discourage her from reaching out. Tammy’s words just made it harder for the neighbor to be accepted in the community.
Question 4
Are you kidding me? Don’t worry about Joe. He’s 34 years old. He’s been that way since we were kids. He doesn’t need mental health care, it’s just his personality. You just don’t know him.
/ Which of the following is correct? Check the correct answer(s) below:
☐Many people are not diagnosed with mental illness until in their adult years.
☐All mental illness would be screened and treated at an early age. If Joe had a mental illness, some doctor along the way would have diagnosed him.
Question 5
A survey of over 1700 adults in the UK, Crisp et al. (2000) was conducted. The most commonly held belief was:
/ Which of the following is correct? Check the correct answer(s) below:
☐People with mental health problems were dangerous – especially those with schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug dependence.
☐Mental health illness is contagious.
☐Ignore mental health and it will fix itself.

(Page down to check your answers.)

ANSWERS:
Question 1:
☒People who say “it’s just mind over matter” increase the stigma that it’s not ok to get the right medications to treat a mental illness.
☒Melinda’s friend could recognize the legitimacy of mental illness and encourage Melinda to get the healthcare she needs when she needs it.
Question 2: ☒The negative stigma around having a mental illness is what prevents some from seeking treatment.
Question 3: ☒The label of a crazy neighbor is hurtful and may discourage her from reaching out. Tammy’s words just made it harder for the neighbor to be accepted in the community.
Question 4: ☒Many people are not diagnosed with mental illness until in their adult years.
Question 5: ☒People with mental health problems were dangerous – especially those with schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug dependence.

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