Addressing stigma around mental health issues
Dr. Kamal Gautam, MD
Consultant Psychiatrist & Executive Director, TPO Nepal
Addressing stigma around mental health issues is a critical step towards promoting mental health and well-being. Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs towards individuals with mental health problems, which can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and other harmful consequences.
Some ways to address stigma include:
- Education: Educating people about mental health, its prevalence, and its impact can help reduce stigma and increase understanding.
- Language: Using respectful, non-stigmatizing language when talking about mental health issues can help reduce negative attitudes and stereotypes.
- Media: The media can play a powerful role in shaping public attitudes towards mental health issues. Responsible reporting on mental health issues and portraying people with mental health problems in a positive, non-stigmatizing way can help reduce stigma.
- Support and advocacy: Providing support and advocacy for people with mental health problems can help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
- Collaboration: Collaboration between mental health professionals, advocacy groups, people with lived experience of mental health conditions (PWLE) and other stakeholders can help promote a more positive and inclusive approach to mental health.
About the Reviewer

Dr. Kamal Gautam, MD,
Consultant Psychiatrist & Executive Director, TPO Nepal
Dr. Kamal Gautam is a leading figure in Nepal’s mental health sector, recognized for his expertise in integrating psychosocial support into primary healthcare systems. As the Executive Director of the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Nepal, he leads national and international initiatives aimed at reducing mental health stigma and improving access to care for vulnerable populations…
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