I think there is such a stigma associated with mental illness because as soon as someones mental health isn’t “good”, it is automatically assumed that they have something wrong with them. I believe that no one has perfect mental health and mental illnesses can happen to anyone. There shouldn’t be shame against people who need to discuss how they may be feeling or what they are expereincing. Some factors that contribute to this self-stigma could be that they could be seen as weak, they feel they don’t have a support system, it could possibly harm their relationships or career choices, or that they are incompetent at life. Mental health and mental illnesses are not something to be ashamed of and these are topics that should be widely accepted. 

Different cultures beliefs about mental illness vary. In asian americans, polynessians, and pacific islanders it is often seen as an embarrssement to have a family memeber treated for mental illness. Suicide rates amoung native hawaiian adolescents are higher than those of other adolescents in the US. In most cultures, mental illness is seen as a problem or something to be ashamed of. In terms of religion and spirituality, religious beliefs are closely intertwined with beliefs about mental illnesses. Culture and religion have a huge impact on how certain people react to mental illnesses.