Brown, C: Stigma King

Merriam Webster's dictionary defines a stigma as a mark of
shame or discredit. Mental illness has long carried a stigma,
especially in certain cultures and communities. Among those
groups, admitting you were depressed or dealing with anxiety was
somehow a mark of shame. Moreover, getting help by going to a
therapist or counselor was viewed as something only people from a
different culture or community would do. Yet, if honest, most
people would admit that they have been depressed, stressed out,
anxious, or fearful at some point in their life. Temporarily
experiencing these emotions does not necessarily mean you have a
mental illness. The danger is when you experience these feelings
frequently without treatment and when you experience them for a
prolonged period of time.