Training Module on the Right to Mental Health for Faith-Based Organizations • Signs of self-harm – Self-harm may be in the form cuts, burns, or bruises in different parts of the body. Individuals might deny being suicidal but state that this is a way to feel the pain, relieve them of the tension, or punish themselves. • Disturbance in interpersonal relationships - This may be manifested through isolation and frequently getting into fights with other people, either strangers or loved ones. Stigma Individuals with mental illness face a lot of stigmas in the community. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding mental illness that stem from negative beliefs and attitudes that motivate people to fear, avoid, stereotype, and discriminate against people with mental, neurological, or substance use disorders. The stigma affects the quality of their life, prevents them from seeking treatment or opening up to other people about their problems, as well as from getting opportunities – all of which further puts them at a disadvantage. Here are some common misconceptions: Mental illness is incurable and lifelong. • With the right kind of help, treated appropriately and early, most people recover fully and have no further episodes of illness. For others, mental illness may recur throughout their lives and require ongoing treatment. This is the same as many physical illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. People are born with a mental illness. • A vulnerability to some mental illnesses, such as bipolar mood disorder, can run in families. But other people develop mental illness with no family history. Many factors contribute to the onset of a mental illness, including stress, bereavement, breakdown of relationships, unemployment, social isolation, a major physical illness, physical and sexual abuse, or disability. Only certain types of people develop a mental illness. • As many as one in five may develop a mental illness at any stage in their lives. Everyone is vulnerable to mental health problems. It affects people regardless of age, education, income, or culture. Mental illness is caused by personal weakness. • A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, biological, social, and environmental factors. Seeking and accepting help is a sign of strength. 9