A majority of participants indicated that mental health stigma was associated
with traditions learned during childhood. Although participants agreed
that stigma had decreased from their parents’ generation, they reported that
stigma was still incorporated into their views of mental health treatment. One
participant, who reported that he currently takes antidepressant medication
and believes that medication is a more “secretive” means of treating depression
than psychotherapy, discussed his thoughts about stigma: “I think it’s
improving, but I think there’s still this little thing that was ingrained way
back when. Those things die hard.” (Interview 12) Similarly, another participant,
who experienced symptoms of depression after facing serious health
problems and the loss of his career, stated