Up To Me: Eliminating the Stigma of Mental Illness on College Campuses
Lesson 1 Overview
Up to Me is the right decision for some people, but not for everyone. This section is a guide to help people decide what the right decision is for them.
TASK 1. We discuss the idea of IDENTITY and mental illness so you can decide how you frame your identity.
- Some people do not want to view themselves as a person with mental illness while others do. This section
helps people understand whether and how they identify themselves.
- Words are central to stigma. Participants consider how they like to label their experiences leading to stigma: mental illness, mental health challenge, or other terms.
- Some people agree with stigma and beat themselves up as a result. Program participants might want to consider Appendix 1 -- Challenging Personally Hurtful Self-Stigma -- when in this situation.
TASK 2. We help you weigh the costs and benefits of coming out so that you can decide whether or not to disclose.
- There are both benefits and costs to disclosing.
- Only you can weigh them to decide whether it is worth disclosing.
- Costs and benefits dier depending on the setting; for example, in a classroom versus among your roommates.