Young People Negotiating the Stigma Around their Depression

Abstract

This study explored how young people negotiated the stigma associated with depression. The study methodology involved collecting written narratives, as well as conducting asynchronous online group discussions and online individual interviews with young Finnish people who self-identified as being depressed. Theoretical insights of the study were drawn from dialogicality and symbolic interactionism. examining patterns in the participants' experiences and perceptions revealed their reliance on two stigmatizing cultural conceptions-'depression as a mental illness' and 'depression as a matter of pulling oneself together'-to account for why they were perceived as abnormal, and for the absence of empathy for their distress. To cope with these stigmatizing conceptions, they resorted to reframing their experience of 'depression as a normal but serious affliction'. The study's results highlight the importance of information dissemination (in schools, through media, etc.) regarding harmful as well as helpful ways to give meaning and respond to depressive experiences.

Young people’s experiences of social fears

“…From a symbolic interactionist and existentialist perspective, social interaction is a fundamental bottom shaping the meanings young people attach to social situations and the ways in which they respond to their experiences. Therefore, as suggested in the study of Issakainen (2014), gaining information regarding harmful as well as helpful ways of interacting is of vital importance. The interactive nature of the problem should be considered.…”

“…The reason for this can be that young men do not seek as much help or they don't consider writing as a helpful way to handle fears (cf. Issakainen, 2014). Despite the number of the participants, some of the answers, especially from the youngest participants, were quite short, which led to a greater use of data extracts from young adults.…”

Young Women’s Experiences of Self-harm

“…Usually NSSI was a secret activity, linked to depression and stigma (Issakainen, 2014). A desire for secrecy may be especially important among these young women as almost all had experience of another highly stigmatized event: sexual abuse.…”

University students’ accounts of living with depression

“…Schools play a crucial role in supporting the mental health of their students (DfE 2015; Thorley 2016). However, embedding mental health support at a school level is a complex issue and often young people do not report their difficulties due to the perceived stigma associated with mental health difficulties (Curtis 2010;Issakainen 2014). Rothi and Leavey (2006) explored the mental health help-seeking behaviour of young people in the UK.…”