Many of the teenagers who are fighting depression or other mental illnesses are actually quite apprehensive about the labels that those around them may place on them. At times, it is even the thought of how people look at those seeking help from a psychiatrist that makes them fight against receiving such helpful treatment.

It has been studied that eight to ten percent of teenagers go through a bout of clinical depression during their adolescence. Dr. Marshall Korenblum, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and Chief Psychiatrist at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Children in Toronto, said “Of those, only one in six will ever get the treatment that they need and a large reason for that is absolutely because of stigma.”

Regarding stigma, Phillip commented “It contributed to my low self-esteem and that made me sink deeper within myself.”

Because of the high importance which these teens place on social acceptance, they may even put it before their individual well-being. In order to avoid the teasing and disapproval of their fellow teens, they’d simply rather not go through the trouble of confronting the emotional problems that exist within.

Korenblum further explains “Often in adolescents, the worse thing to be thought of is weak and mental illness is often thought of as a weakness or a character flaw.” He has himself been a witness to these behaviors throughout his practice of psychiatry for more than 25 years.

Korenblum suggested, “Sufferers of mental disorders who have the courage to “come out” about dealing with their illness could have a very positive impact, Their experiences could help raise awareness as well as shatter myths and stereotypes.”

A facebook group with the same title Students Erasing the Stigma was also created by Phillip and already has more than 30 members. “With this organization I’m trying to send the message to kids that we shouldn’t be quick to judge others. Instead try to be supportive and try to understand what the other person is going through and that helps them want to get help and probably understand more about what they’re going through,” explained Phillip. For more information about the organization have a look at www.freewebs.com/studentserasingthestigma