Why Mental Health Victims are easily Misjudged in the Society


In a society where almost 99% of the population judge instantly from physical appearance and first impression, it is easy to fall prey to the allusion of making assumptions about others. Contemporary society is characteristically defined by images and preconceptions that are usually thrust upon us. The resulting impact of this trend is harshly felt by individuals with various mental health problems.

As a mental health enthusiast and someone who has fallen victim to instantaneous judgment from the surrounding in different instances, I am passionately writing to inform others that such quick conclusions frequently mislead and prevent us from seeing the rich tapestry of experiences and inspiring stories that lie beneath the physical appearances. The complexities that make everyone distinct in their spaces cannot be noted by judging from first impressions.

 Much depth of our capacity to connect on deeper levels through understanding the people we encounter in our daily lives is greatly hampered by the preconceived beliefs that we develop merely on the outer looks. Writing from a personal case, the impulsivity and irrationality of decisions that come with Bipolar I got me doing face tattoos in a bid to divert stories and beat the inflicted stigma after my first ever manic episode. For me, I thought it was a way of healing and recovering from the dark hole since I did not get any professional psychiatric service and was not even aware that something like Bipolar Disorder exists until later on through sharing my lived experiences online in my personal Blogspot. I am certain so many individuals who have had various mental health problems resonate more with this.

I have experienced a lot of pressure from judgmental societies because of my facial tattoos and even declined from job placements without even giving me the chance to explain how it all happened. Speaking for the voiceless society of various mental health conditions, there is sure a great need for everyone to probe beneath the surface before labeling anyone we meet.  Those who judge on what they see at first sight constantly run the danger of missing out on the chance to understand and be motivated by the depth of different characters that come into people's daily lives if they continuously rely on outward appearances to judge others. Besides, judging solely depending on looks feeds negative stereotypes and biases which results in discrimination and inequality, vices that everyone is trying to fight.

On balance, in a bid to make the world a better place for ourselves, it is crucial that we resist the urge and the norm of making snap judgments about people based on their appearances. Inclusivity can only be achieved by giving everyone a chance to show what they can offer rather than what they look like. We can only learn about others through spending time in having in-depth talks and getting to know the stories that lie within their appearances. Accessing a society of rich experiences and deep connections calls for releasing the bonds of superficial judgments since outward appearances are only but a small window into people’s rich lives. One thing is for sure, let’s not forget that an individual’s genuine worth is far greater than what it first appears. Be among the 1% who look beyond what meets the eye. Let's join hands in battling the ingrained stigmatization of mental health as a phenomenon. No health without mental health!


If you would like to support this Ministry in any way, please get in touch through any of the provided contacts below.

Email:  mr.abbsbrandsman1@gmail.com

Linked In: Dancan Odingo

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Mental Health and Fitness Enthusiast         

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