Talk directly, but kindly and respectfully, with people living with mental health disorders. In 2000, the Human Library movement began in Denmark to fight prejudice. Instead of books, this library had people. The public would come in and, instead of reading books, would talk to the “human books,” who would, in turn, share their life’s experiences. The concept has since spread throughout the world. Before the pandemic, the Human Library had partnered with the mobile library The Book Stop Project for its implementation in the Philippines. This activity is the perfect way for people with mental health problems to clarify misconceptions about mental health. It’s also a good avenue to show the public that people living with mental health disorders are, first and foremost, human like everyone else. Give respect. Naguit once attended an exploratory meeting about mental health in the Philippines. “There was no representation from people with mental health conditions. It was weird because it was a discussion about mental health. But the ones directly concerned were not invited to the decision-making table,” he says. “The organizers explained it was because the people with mental health disorders had no organized group.” “If the company has yet to put up a mental health program, any employee who admits to having a mental health condition may suffer discrimination,” Naguit says. It is up to us, then, to nudge the management of your company or school to update tone-deaf policies. Create safe spaces to talk about mental health. “We cannot encourage people to get mental health services if they don’t feel it is safe for them to do so,” says Naguit. “So while we are pushing for the reversal of the stigma, we should also create a safe space for them to talk about their concerns.” It doesn’t have to be an official event. You can start small, such as spending lunch enlightening your colleagues about mental health. Seek out a friend who looks like they’re struggling and let them know they can talk to you. Refrain from giving unsolicited advice. Instead, listen. Quick read: • To fight stigma against mental health, you must change the way you think about people with mental health disorders. • Bureaucracy and prejudice have a way of obstructing the development of genuine discussions about mental health. Stand up and be among those who respect people with mental health disorders just as you would anyone else. Focus on ways to help patients recover instead of pinning blame on the cause of their difficulties. • Interact with people with mental health disorders to better understand what they are going through. Change practices that enable stigma and discrimination. • Respect them as you would everyone else. The Mental Health Act uses a national framework. “Often, we have a hard time actualizing this framework because it doesn’t have a local counterpart,” says Naguit. What works on the national level may not necessarily be effective for smaller units, such as schools and the workplace. • Work to update practices that enable stigma and discrimination. • Give them a safe space to talk about their experiences. To apply for a government position, for example, applicants need to answer this question: “Are you diagnosed with a mental health condition?” If jobseekers in private companies tick this box and disclose any diagnoses they may have, Naguit is afraid it will affect that prospective employee’s chances of getting promoted. 29 Sources: Naguit, R.J. (2021, July 15). Learning Sessions on the Right to Mental Health—CHR: Dignity of All [Webinar]. Commission on Human Rights. Library Newsette. (2014, August 22). The DLSU Libraries Launches the First Human Library in the Country. DLSU Libraries. http://librarynewsette.lasalle.ph/2014/08/launch-first-human-library.html 30