Shifting Perspectives on Mental Health to Combat Stigma

A group of college students experienced a significant shift in their attitudes towards mental illness during a transformative 50-minute class at Florida International University (FIU). Led by psychology professor Meghan Owenz, the session aimed to confront common misconceptions and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.

Understanding Mental Health Beyond Stigma

Owenz began by highlighting a startling statistic: about 80% of individuals will face a psychiatric disorder at some point in their lives. This figure serves as a crucial reminder that mental health issues can affect anyone, not just 'other' people.

Many individuals still perceive mental illness as a sign of weakness or something that only affects a select few. Owenz emphasized the importance of recognizing these biases and encouraged her students to rethink their preconceived notions regarding mental health.

Interactive Learning Experience

The engagement started with an inquiry-based learning activity involving 79 students, who explored their beliefs about mental health. Owenz facilitated a movement-based exercise where students answered questions about everyday experiences, helping them visualize commonalities with their peers.

This exercise was particularly impactful, as it allowed students to discover that traits and experiences often associated with mental health challenges, such as anxiety and difficulty with sleep, are not unique. According to Owenz, “It’s a normal human thing to experience trouble with sleep or mood or anxiety or attention.”

Changing Perspectives on Course Titles

As the session progressed, students became increasingly aware of how their definitions of mental health differed from conventional terms. The class label, “Abnormal Psychology,” was scrutinized, with students proposing alternatives that more accurately reflect their new understanding.

• Divergent Psychology
• Mental Health Psychology
• Normal Psychology
• Not Abnormal Psychology

Owenz pointed out that referring to mental health challenges as 'abnormal' is misleading, given their prevalence. “When something affects 50% to 80% of people across their lifespan, that is not abnormal. That’s an inaccurate term,” she noted.

Encouraging Conversations About Mental Health

Owenz urges individuals to approach mental health matters with the same openness as physical health issues. She encourages those struggling to seek out support, stating, “Don’t think that it needs to be something that you have to do in silence or by yourself. Talk to someone or reach out to a mental health professional, friends, or family.”

For FIU students encountering mental health challenges, the university provides on-campus Counseling and Psychological Services. These resources aim to foster personal growth, emotional well-being, and academic development, reminding students that they are not alone in their struggles.