Sophie Okolo, MPH

Written By Sophie Okolo

Americans views on mental health are shifting according to a new national online survey. The results state that nearly 90 percent of Americans believe that mental and physical health should be valued with the same amount of respect.

This breaking news is especially important because, for a long time, people suffering from mental health issues were stigmatized since such problems are difficult to understand. With more and more people talking about mental health, including the constant discussion surrounding mental illnesses and gun control, the stigma seems to be changing, at least in the United States.

Read More: Americans Value Mental Health Care But Lack Access

It is a great feat for Americans to value mental and physical health equally. This shows a progressive understanding in how society currently views these conditions. Physical health is more tolerable compared to mental health because there is much confusion surrounding the latter. In fact, 53 percent of Americans were not aware that people with anxiety disorders are also at risk for suicide.

While people struggling with a mental illness may experience stress, depression, anxiety, among other issues, these problems can be tackled in a holistic way. Focusing on one aspect is ineffective because depression, for instance, can be caused by a myriad of problems.

Read More: Depression: High-Profile Tennis Athletes Admit to Having It

“Progress is being made in how American adults view mental health, and the important role it plays in our everyday lives. People see connection between mental health and overall well-being, our ability to function at work and at home and how we view the world around us,” states Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The goal is to reduce stigma as more people with or without mental health issues continue to discuss this topic. In the end, societies can hope for a stigma-free world.

What’s your opinion of people with mental health problems?