What is a stigma, and how does it hurt people with mental illness?

A stigma means when someone see's you in a type of negative way because of your mental illness. Basically, it changes their thought of you. It's also known as Discrimination due to your mental illness.

Funny thing is I had a vce psychology test on this subject of mental health but anyways stigma is a mark of disgrace it's something that sets someone a part from others. Basically stigma happens when a person defines by their illness rather than who they are as an individual. Also stigma can hurt someone by their self esteem lowering and them not wanting to get treatment, withdraw from society.