We often talk about stigma around mental health, the harmful beliefs and judgments held by society and the barriers created by systems and institutions. Many of us have felt the weight of those external forces at some point in our lives. But there is another kind of stigma that is quieter and often harder to recognize. It lives inside us. For many, it is the hardest to overcome.
This is self-stigma.
Self-stigma refers to the negative beliefs we hold about ourselves in relation to mental health. It shows up in the stories we tell ourselves — that we should be stronger, that needing help is a weakness, or that struggling means we are failing. It is subtle, yet powerful.
Unlike external stigma, self-stigma does not need a crowd or a policy to enforce it. It only needs our own voice — and sometimes that voice can be the harshest of all.
That is why it is important to pause and reflect.
This is not about assessing your current mental health or diagnosing anything. It is about something deeper — your relationship with mental health. How you think about it. How you respond to it. How you talk about it, both to yourself and to others.
If we want to create a world with less stigma, we have to start by noticing how stigma may live within us.
Take a moment and consider these questions. They are not meant to judge or grade. They are meant to help you listen to yourself, perhaps in a way you have not before.
Three Questions to Explore Your Relationship with Mental Health and Stigma
- When I think about mental health, what thoughts or feelings come up, and where do I think those ideas come from?
- How comfortable do I feel talking about mental health, both in general and in my own life?
- What kind of messages have I absorbed about mental health over time — from family, culture, work, or media — and how might they be shaping the way I respond to it now?
Self-stigma can keep us from seeking support. It can also prevent us from being the kind of support others might need. It narrows our view of ourselves, others, and what is possible.
The good news is that self-stigma is not permanent. Like any belief, it can change when we are given space to examine it, challenge it, and replace it with something more compassionate.
If this reflection stirred something in you — a realization, discomfort, or a sense of recognition — know that you are not alone. Awareness opens the door, and courage walks through it.
Many people who have taken The Working Mind program describe this kind of reflection as a turning point. One participant shared, “The chance to explore my own self-stigma during the course was an eye-opening moment. It helped me see how my own beliefs were holding me back from seeking help and being open with others.”
Ending stigma begins with honest, safe conversations — including the one you have with yourself.