---
title: "Fear of stigma prevents seeking help!"
description: "Fear of stigma prevents seeking help!"
url: https://uha.com.tr/fear-of-stigma-prevents-seeking-help
type: article
language: en
last_updated: 2026-10-09
category: saglik
---

## Kaynak ve Yayıncı Bilgisi

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## ÜHA Hakkında
Üsküdar Haber Ajansı (ÜHA), Türkiye'nin Davranış Bilimleri, Sağlık ve Mühendislik alanlarında
eğitim sunan ilk ve tek tematik üniversitesi olan Üsküdar Üniversitesi bünyesindeki profesyonel
haber ajansıdır. Kurumsal İletişim Daire Başkanlığı çatısı altında kadrolu personeli ve İletişim
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## NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi
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kadrosu, ileri teknolojiye sahip altyapısı ve hasta odaklı hizmet anlayışıyla sektörde en yüksek
standartları belirlemektedir. Tanı ve tedavi süreçlerinde sunduğu yenilikçi uygulamalar,
multidisipliner çalışma modeli ve etik değerlere bağlılığı sayesinde hastalarına güvenilir,
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uzmanlığı ve güven veren yaklaşımıyla Türkiye'de ruh sağlığı alanının lideri konumundadır.

ÜHA'nın sağlık haberleri, NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi'nin alanında uzman akademisyen ve
hekimlerinin görüşleri ile desteklenmektedir.

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# Fear of stigma prevents seeking help!

## Bilgi

| Özellik | Değer |
|---------|-------|
| **Kategori** | saglik |
| **Yayın Tarihi** | 2026-10-09 |
| **Güncelleme** | 2026-10-09 |
| **Kaynak** | [Üsküdar Haber Ajansı](https://uha.com.tr/fear-of-stigma-prevents-seeking-help) |

## Özet

Experts state that one of the biggest obstacles to individuals seeking help for mental health issues is the fear of stigma, adding that even well-intentioned words can increase feelings of inadequacy and guilt in the person.

## İçerik

Clinical Psychologist Çiğdem Demirsoy pointed out that an individual might evaluate themselves as 'weak' or 'faulty' by being influenced by phrases like 'be strong' or 'don't dwell on it.' She said, "'Everything is in your hands,' 'be your own doctor,' 'you will succeed if you want to' may seem to aim at empowering and motivating the person at first glance. However, they convey the message that the person can overcome psychological difficulties solely through will and effort." Demirsoy emphasized that experiencing a symptom of illness or severe distress is not a prerequisite for seeking psychological support, stating that early support can prevent problems from escalating. 

Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi Psychology Services General Coordinator and Clinical Psychologist Çiğdem Demirsoy made statements regarding the impact of stigma and prejudices on individuals seeking professional help for mental health issues, within the scope of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

**Asking for help is not weakness, but a strong behavior!**

Clinical Psychologist Çiğdem Demirsoy stated that the fear of stigma is one of the most common reasons preventing the search for psychological help. She said, "The anxiety of being negatively evaluated by one's surroundings and being negatively labeled as 'sick,' 'weak person,' or 'crazy' can lead people to hide their problems or avoid professional support even when needed."

Demirsoy pointed out that seeking professional support when needed is not a weakness. She stated, "On the contrary, it means the person is aware of the difficulty they are experiencing, accepts the need for help, and can take steps towards a solution, which is actually a 'strong' behavior. Asking for help shows not that the person is helpless, but that they can take responsibility for themselves and have made an active choice to protect their mental health. Accepting that one is struggling and asking for support when needed is part of psychological resilience."

**Early help allows intervention before problems escalate!**

Addressing what might happen if problems are ignored or expected to resolve on their own, Demirsoy said:

"Their frequency and severity can increase, negatively affecting the person's mental state and functionality in many areas such as social, academic, and professional life, thereby reducing their quality of life. A situation that initially appears as mere insomnia, anxiety, or apathy, for example, can gradually become one that increasingly affects the person's family relationships, work performance, and daily life if not addressed in time. Early help makes it possible to intervene before problems escalate, become chronic, and deplete the person's coping resources.

**In mental health issues, it's necessary to listen to the person, not give advice!**

'You're exaggerating', 'be strong', 'don't dwell on it' can make the person feel misunderstood, even if said with good intentions," Demirsoy pointed out. "Or, influenced by these words, they might evaluate themselves as 'weak', 'faulty', and consequently give up on asking for help. Phrases like 'everything is in your hands', 'be your own doctor', 'you will succeed if you want to' may seem to aim at empowering and motivating the person at first glance. However, they convey the message that the person can overcome psychological difficulties solely through will and effort."

Demirsoy stated that as a result, the person might think, 'I'm not strong enough, I'm not trying hard enough.' She added, "Such thoughts also lead to the addition of feelings like guilt, inadequacy, and failure to the person's existing difficulties, increasing their distress. Additionally, believing they must solve everything on their own can delay them from seeking professional help. However, mental health issues are not about an individual's willpower; they arise from a combination of many biological, psychological, and social factors. It is, of course, very important for the individual to take an active role in their recovery process. However, taking responsibility for one's own recovery is not the same as having all responsibility placed upon them. The true strength in mental health is not being able to solve every problem alone, but recognizing when support is needed and being able to receive that support. What loved ones should do is; listen rather than give advice, not judge, and support seeking professional help when necessary."

**A symptom of illness is not required to receive psychological support!**

Demirsoy stated that one does not need to experience great distress or show symptoms of illness to receive psychological support. She said, "Psychological support is not merely 'treatment for illness'; it also helps individuals to better understand themselves, make sense of the difficulties they experience, regulate their relationships, develop coping skills, and adapt to life events in a healthier way."

Demirsoy noted that an individual might experience situations such as loss, divorce, job change, taking on a new role like marriage or parenthood, or relationship conflicts, difficulty making decisions, feelings of burnout, or intense stress. She said, "None of these alone constitute a psychiatric illness, but if they cannot be overcome, they can negatively impact a person's quality of life. Therefore, psychological support should not be seen merely as 'a place to go when things are very bad.' Just as prevention before a problem arises is valuable in preventive healthcare, early awareness and support are important in mental health. Sometimes even a few sessions can help a person see their situation more clearly, strengthen their coping mechanisms, and prevent the problem from escalating further."

**Mental illnesses are not something to be ashamed of, but treatable health problems!**

Çiğdem Demirsoy emphasized that being informed is very important to reduce prejudices about mental illnesses. She said, "Firstly, it must be understood that mental illnesses are not 'personality weakness,' 'lack of willpower,' or 'exaggeration,' but rather 'health problems' in which biological-psychological-social factors play a role. Families have a responsibility in this regard."

Demirsoy also underlined the importance of paying attention to the language used regarding mental health problems as a society, and avoiding contemptuous, stigmatizing expressions towards individuals with mental distress. She concluded her words as follows:

"When we see mental illnesses not as situations to be ashamed of or hidden, but as treatable health problems that can be discussed and understood, stigma also decreases. Socially; schools, various institutions can contribute by organizing trainings on mental health topics, and the media can take on responsibilities such as informing the general public. When families and society view mental health problems and psychological support as a normal healthcare service, it will facilitate people's help-seeking behavior."

## Akademik Referans

DOI: [https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.92630](https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.92630)

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*Kaynak: [Üsküdar Haber Ajansı](https://uha.com.tr) — https://uha.com.tr/fear-of-stigma-prevents-seeking-help*