The Veteran Supported Education Service Treatment Manual: VetSEd

mental illness so I must be weak. There is no point in trying to go to school because I am
too messed up.‖
Implementing Worksheet #15: Stopping Self-Stigma
The various assumptions about negative self-talk and ways of challenging such self-talk
are summarized as Worksheet #15: Stopping Self-Stigma. A blank version is provided in
Part Two Section Seven, which readers are welcome to photocopy for addressing selfstigma
that may haunt them or friends. We illustrate here with an example from Edgar, a
returning Veteran living with TBI and PTSD. The worksheet comprises five steps. First,
we begin with a clear statement of the hurtful attitude using the formula:
I Must Be __________________ Because ________________.
When people talk about themselves with MUSTS it often contributes to negative and
irrational feelings. This kind of formula helps persons put their irrational thoughts into
words. Like many persons with mental health issues who self-stigmatize, Edgar believed
he was a weak person because he sometimes was overwhelmed by his TBI and PTSD.
The next step is to further define the ―must‖ statement as true-false assumptions. One
way to do this is to change the statement from a personal "I" belief to a statement that
includes "all people like me." With this in mind, Edgar broke his hurtful belief into
All strong people don't have PTSD.
Weak means bad. All people who have problems are bad.
The truth of ―I‖ statements is not always clear; however, change it to a general statement
about humankind, and its falseness becomes evident.
Next, the person challenges these assumptions by asking others whether they believe the
two attitudes are true. First, Edgar sought out a circle of trusted people for feedback, in
this case a group from After Hours, a Veteran‘s social club he attends weekly. Edgar also
decided to check with his older sister Connie, mayor of his hometown and someone in
whom he has confidence. Edgar was surprised by the response from people at After
Hours. Not only did they disagree with the statement that "Strong people don't have
PTSD," to a person, they all relayed some experience with other mental health concerns.
Two Veterans, in fact, had been hospitalized like Edgar. Members of After Hours also
took exception that struggling with personal problems meant a person is bad. Edgar was
especially moved by what Connie said.
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