Understanding Mental Illness

What do we mean when we say “Mental Illness”?

At Shine, we believe that mental illness is more than just a medical condition - it’s shaped by a person’s life experiences and the society they live in. Using the term "mental illness" helps to ensure that mental health challenges are treated in the same way we would talk about physical health issues. We want parity for mental health issues to the way physical health issues are treated. This means that people facing these challenges should have the same access to resources, care, and respect.

We also follow a human rights approach. Internationally, mental illness is often seen as part of a broader category called psychosocial disability. This perspective focuses on dignity, inclusion, and removing barriers that stop people from fully participating in society. At the same time, we work hard to make sure our services are easy to understand, accessible to everyone, and open to the public without any unnecessary hurdles.

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Learn about Stigma

How society shapes mental illness

Mental illness doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s influenced by the world around us—our culture, history, and social conditions. For example:

Cultural norms: Different cultures understand mental health in different ways.

History: Ideas about mental health change over time as society evolves.

Social factors: Things like poverty, inequality, and trauma play a big role in mental well-being.

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Do Labels and Diagnoses Matter?

Sometimes, getting a diagnosis can help people make sense of what they’re experiencing. It can give them access to the right support and make it easier to explain their needs to others. But we also know that it’s not just about the label. It’s about understanding how these challenges affect someone’s quality of life and their ability to live meaningfully. That’s why we focus on the person behind the diagnosis.

By doing this, we can:

Reduce stigma: Shift the focus from what’s "wrong" to what’s happened to the person.

Be inclusive: Recognise and value different ways of understanding mental health.

Improve lives: Help people identify what they need to feel better and thrive.

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Recovery Is different for everyone

Recovery doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. It is a personal journey that is about finding ways to live a fulfilling life, even with ongoing challenges. At Shine, we believe recovery is possible for everyone, and we support each person to define what it means for them.

Here’s what recovery means to us:

Empowerment: Helping people take charge of their recovery.

Individuality: Respecting that everyone’s journey is different.

Hope: Believing in the possibility of a better future.

Community: Creating spaces where people feel understood and supported.

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Why Lived Experience Matters

Everyone’s mental health journey is unique. Personal experiences are shaped by things like family, income, education, and culture. That’s why it’s so important to:

Listen to people’s stories: Those who’ve faced mental health challenges have valuable insights.

Learn from different perspectives: Communities approach mental health in diverse ways, and we can learn from all of them.

Create supportive spaces: Recovery is easier when people feel safe and valued.

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Our Commitment to Accessibility

At Shine, we’re here to make mental health support as easy to access as possible. We do our best to avoid complicated jargon, focus on plain language, and aim to be a welcoming place for everyone. Our work is guided by: