Kara Arvin

April 10, 2015

Eliminating Stigmas Surrounding Mood Disorders
Mood Disorder. Bipolar disorder. Depression. What comes to the minds of people
unaware of the truth about mood disorders? Oh! That person is making it up. They just need
to get over it or suck it up or People with mood disorders are psycho and shouldnt be
associated with. These stigmas are just some of the many associated with mood disorders. In
order to diminish negative perceptions, community leaders, such as teachers, must be
knowledgeable about mood disorders, and willing to communicate relevant information to
others.
Mood disorders are caused by the imbalance of brain chemicals and problems with brain
circuits called neurotransmitters. In the United States, more than 20.9 million, or about 9.5
percent of adults, have a mood disorder. Also, around 5.7 million, or 2.6 percent of citizens 18
and older, are bipolar. Why does this matter? More than 51% of people with mood disorders go
undiagnosed and around 15 to 17 percent commit suicide. This astounding number may be
caused by lack of knowledge about mood disorders and stigmas surrounding them. Stigmas
about mood disorders are not only false, but can cause undiagnosed people to avoid seeking help.
Stigmas about how mood disorders are not real diseases are absurd; just as people with a
physiological illness, such as diabetes, have to be treated, people with psychological illnesses
need to be treated, as well. With proper treatment and compliance both can live normal lives .
The solution to stopping misconceptions about mood disorders is awareness. The general
public must understand what mood disorders really are. Instead of using Im so depressed or
Im so bipolar today! lightly, we must think of ways to express emotion other than referring to

mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are not something to joke about; making depression or other
disorders sound inferior to other illnesses does not help eliminate stigmas.
Millions of people have mood disorders and once treated, can act and feel just like those
without mood disorders. Teachers and other community leaders can help stop the stigma of
mental illness by teaching individuals not to label and define people by their condition. Creating
environments in which conversations about mood disorders can occur naturally, comfortably, and
safely will encourage people who struggle with these conditions to fight their inner demons and
seek treatment. Collectively, before we think or say Its all in their head, we must remember
that the stigmas we hear and hold on to are also all in our heads.
______________________________________________________________________
The Headstrong action team of Kentucky will create awareness amongst community
leaders, such as teachers, to help diminish stigmas surrounding mood disorders. By holding
seminars about mood disorders, classes, and applying more of a focus on mood disorders in
classrooms, community leaders will be able to relay relevant information to others to erase
negative perceptions.
These seminars will address what mood disorders are, the misconceptions and stigmas
surrounding them, how to stop stigmas around the community, and the proper way to encourage
people who struggle with symptoms of mood disorder to seek treatment. These seminars will
also include trained speakers such as doctors and people who have struggled and experienced
mood disorders and stigmas. This will help to give the audience a sense of credibility and a
sense of what its like to deal with mood disorders. Teachers and students will leave having the
necessary information to take back to their schools and community to teach others about mood
disorders and to prevent stigmas.

Our Headstrong team consists of a leader, coordinator, recruiter, and speaker. The
coordinator is Tessa Grey, the recruiter is Clary Fray, the speaker is Will Herondale, and I, Kara
Arvin, am the team leader. As leader, I will lead the others in getting everything done and make
sure the plan goes smoothly. My job will also consist of planning the events, organizing the
classes, and doing paperwork. The coordinators job is to call and schedule seminars and send
invitations. The recruiters job is to call and get guest speakers to speak during the seminar and
teach some of the classes. Lastly, the speaker is the main speaker during the seminar. He will be
in charge of announcing speakers, answering questions, and helping any of the guest speakers.

Tessa Grey will schedule five seminars at EKU at the Whitlock building for one week
and send out invitations to community leaders and schools. Each day will consist of different
groups. The first two days will be for community leaders and the remaining three days will be
open for schools. Meanwhile, Clary Fray will be in contact with mental health doctors and
people who have suffered from and experienced mood disorders and stigmas. When the
seminars are held, Will Herondale will lead the seminar with the guest speakers. After the
seminar, the audience will be split into groups to go to classes to be further educated and be able
to ask questions. After the event, community leaders, teachers, and students will leave with the
necessary information and skills to relay relevant information to others.

Health teachers who are aware of mood disorders have a responsibility to put a larger
focus on teaching about mental illnesses. This can not only make students more knowledgeable
about the illness, but can also help students seek treatment themselves, if needed. Other teachers
also have a responsibility to listen for students joking or making light about the seriousness of
these illnesses and intervene to encourage students to stop. Mental illnesses are not something to
joke about; making depression or other disorders sound inferior to other illnesses does not help
eliminate stigmas. This needs to be made clear to all students and the community.
Millions of people in the United States have mood disorders and once treated, can act
and feel just like those without mood disorders. Although there is no cure for mood disorders,
there is a cure for the stigmas. Teachers and other community leaders can help stop the stigma of
mental illness by teaching individuals not to label and define people by their condition. Creating
environments in which conversations about mood disorders can occur naturally, comfortably, and
safely will encourage people who struggle with these conditions to fight their inner demons and
seek treatment. The Headstrong team hopes that by making community leaders aware about
mood disorders, students and citizens can learn the truth about mental illnesses and prevent the
spread and use of stigmas.

Works Cited
Bipolar Disorder - Fact Sheet - Treatment Advocacy Center. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2015,
from http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/resources/briefing-papers-and-factsheets/159/463.

Bipolar Lifeline. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://www.bipolarlifeline.com/

Bipolar Disorder Causes: Genetics, Brain Chemicals, Environment, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved
April 10, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes

Corrigan, P., & Watson, A. (n.d.). Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental
illness. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489832/

New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/fashion/11madpride.html?_r=0
Other:
http://www.bipolarlifeline.com/
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes
http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/resources/briefing-papers-and-fact-sheets/159/463