Because mental illness is often publicized in the media in association with crime or violent acts, people develop negative perceptions of those with these conditions. If you have a mental illness, you may feel like family, friends, coworkers, or other people treat you differently. This can make coping with your condition that much more difficult. Think about Celebrating Mental Health Day as an opportunity to talk to others directly about misconceptions surrounding mental illness and related issues. Learn to deal with the stigma of having a mental illness by improving your self-confidence, finding healthy sources of support, and speaking out against stigma. Method 1 - Working on Your Self-Confidence 1 → Educate yourself. Learning all you can about your mental health condition can help you correct misconceptions. When you are properly educated on the scientific basis of mental illness, you are better equipped to handle the ignorance you may hear. Closing the knowledge gap and educa...