Training Module on the Right to Mental Health for Faith-Based Organizations Section 2: Mental Illness and Stigma Introduction: • In Section 1, we explored the concept of mental health and identified the different dimensions of mental health; namely the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that affect an individual. We also took a look at the importance of spirituality in mental health. In Section 2, we will focus our attention on mental illness, common misconceptions, and the stigma surrounding mental illness. Learning Objective: • At the end of the session, the participants will be able to: - Get a better understanding of mental illness - Know signs that indicate a person might be having a mental health problem - Know some of the common misconceptions about mental illness - Things that can be done to fight the stigma surrounding mental illness Activity 2 • Divide the group into three, ask the group to discuss among themselves: - Each member will give three words that come to mind when you hear the word mental illness. - How is mental illness portrayed in society? - What challenges do people with mental illness face in society? - What are the common misconceptions you hear about mental illness? - In your own way, how can you reduce stigma in your community? • Ask one representative from the group to summarize what the group has discussed. 7