The reason there is so much stigma associated with mental illness is because people tend to fear the unknown. The depth of knowledge that we have on mental illness does not amount to the information we have on physical ailments. The lack of knowledge and understanding of mental illness causes judgement, fear, and wrongful interpretations of what it means to be mentally ill. Another reason why mental illness is stigmatized is due to its invisible nature. People are more apt to understand and believe that another is ill when they can physically see the illness; it is easy to understand why someone is in pain when their leg is fractured and wrapped in a cast, or when their skin is flushed, breathing labored, and level of consciousness altered. Mental illnesses are invisible on the surface, making it hard for others to understand why someone might be ill when they look healthy on the outside. Factors that contribute to self-stigma is the individual’s perception of illness and what it means to be healthy or strong. It can be hard for people to openly admit they have a mental illness for fear that they will be judged by their peers and no longer accepted into the culture or society they felt they once belonged.

Religion and culture play a large role in perception and response to mental illness. While some cultures are openly accepting of those who have mental illness, others might see it as impure, sinful, evil or culturally unacceptable to admit that they suffer from a mental illness. Individuals diagnosed with a mental illness respond according to the society or culture they reside in; therefore, if mental illness is a topic that is not talked about or openly accepted by a religion or culture, then the individual might start to isolate themselves and believe they are less deserving of their basic human needs.