Resources

Below are some helpful resources that define key terms and issues related to mental illness stigma. For those looking to advance their knowledge and experience, explore our Wellness Trunk. It includes practical tools, resources, and educational materials tailored to three unique audiences struggling with mental illness, and those who want to help.
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Understanding Stigma

What is Stigma?

Stigma refers to negative, harmful, and often inaccurate beliefs, attitudes, and judgments about a person impacted by mental illness. These misconceptions can lead people to feel rejected, blamed, misunderstood, or excluded. This creates barriers that can affect a person’s ability to seek support, participate fully in their communities, and experience recovery. Fear of judgment or discrimination can prevent individuals from speaking openly about their mental health or accessing the help they need.

Discrimination occurs when someone experiences unfair treatment, exclusion, or negative actions because of their mental health challenges. It can take many forms, including being denied employment opportunities, overlooked for promotions, refused housing or accommodations, excluded socially, dismissed or underestimated, or subjected to harmful comments and stereotypes. Unsurprisingly, this creates real barriers to inclusion, recovery, and overall well-being.

Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize negative stereotypes and beliefs about mental illness. They then begin applying those judgments to themselves. This can lead to feelings of shame, reduced confidence, isolation, reluctance to seek support, and the belief that they do not deserve understanding or acceptance. Self-stigma is serious. And it can have a significant impact on emotional well-being, recovery, relationships, and quality of life.

Stigma has real and lasting impacts. When we challenge these perceptions of mental health, we create supportive and inclusive environments where we can help people heal and thrive.

Reducing stigma requires more than awareness — it requires action. The Elephant in the Room campaign empowers individuals and organizations to take meaningful steps toward creating more inclusive, supportive, and mentally healthy environments. Through education, advocacy, lived experience engagement, and practical resources, everyone has a role to play in challenging stigma and advancing mental health accessibility.

Guides and Publications

Guides and publications from MDSC and the Elephant in the Room campaign.
PDF

Workplace Mental Health

How employers can create mentally healthy workplaces and support employees in their recovery from mental illness.
PDF · 62 pages · 5.2 MB
Booklet

What is Depression?

An easy-to-understand guide to depression from Mood Disorders Society of Canada.
Web page · mdsc.ca
Booklet

Operational Stress Injuries and Other Traumatic Stress: Therapies and Treatment for Veterans

An MDSC booklet on operational stress injuries and other traumatic stress, and the therapies and treatments available to Veterans.
Web page · mdsc.ca
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Questions?

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