Breaking the Stigma: Making Mental Health Care Part of Everyday Health
Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect time to check in with ourselves and how we treat our emotional well-being. Mental health isn’t just something that affects “other people.” It’s something we all have. Just like we take care of our bodies with annual checkups and dental cleanings, we should be doing regular check-ins with our emotional health too.
But for many, mental health care still carries a stigma. That stigma can delay care until someone is already overwhelmed. At Bay Area Community Health (BACH), we’re working to change that.
We recently sat down with Shivani Dongre, a Licensed Psychotherapist and Behavioral Health Manager at BACH, to talk about the importance of supporting mental health and how we can start treating it like everyday health.
Myth: Therapists Have It All Together
“There’s this misconception that therapists have their lives perfectly figured out,” Shivani shared. “But we’re not here to fix your life. We’re here to help you navigate it and give you tools to do so.”
She reminds us that therapists are human, too, and that building trust with a patient comes from showing compassion, not perfection.
You Don’t Need to Have the Same Experience to Feel Heard
Some worry their therapist won’t understand unless they’ve lived in the same situation. But therapy isn’t about matching experiences - it’s about feeling seen and supported.
“I’ve worked with patients with a range of trauma and needs,” Shivani said. “I always tell them: ‘I hear you. I can’t imagine exactly what you’re feeling, but I’m here to support you.” This validates their experiences and recognizes that what they went through was hard, and it is okay to feel the way they do.
Vulnerability Is a Strength, not a Weakness
Another myth? That mental health professionals must always stay stoic and distant. In truth, we know that vulnerability can build deep connections.
“I’ve shed tears with my patients,” she said. “It’s not unprofessional, it’s human.”
When someone shares something personal and painful, it’s a moment of strength and meeting it with empathy reinforces that strength. To learn more about all our behavioral health services, check out our website Behavioral Health at BACH — Bay Area Community Health