How to Respond When People Disrespect Psychology and Mental Health

Psychologists say: “Not every apology deserves a quick ‘It’s okay.’ Sometimes it’s important to express your feelings and ensure the other person understands the impact of their actions.”

Question: How should I respond to people who don’t respect psychology as a field?

I’ve just completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology and am about to pursue a master’s in the same field. Mental health and helping people help themselves are deeply important to me. Yet, I often feel like many people don’t respect my studies or take my passion seriously.

While I know I shouldn’t care too much about others' opinions, it becomes hard when people criticize the field of psychology or mock my decision to pursue it. In such situations, I find myself going quiet.

Some people—even those I barely know—have said things like, “Studying psychology is a red flag,” “You must be mentally ill yourself,” or “You’re only in this to fix your own issues.” Others claim that therapy just makes people obsess over their problems more.

Sometimes I even feel like my parents aren’t proud of my choice to study psychology, which really hurts. These comments and attitudes have chipped away at my confidence and made me feel ashamed or unsure of how to respond.

I would be so grateful for any advice on how to handle this kind of judgment, stigma, or disrespect toward psychology and mental health as a field.

Expert Advice

• Validate your passion—your commitment to helping others is admirable and necessary.
• Set boundaries—if someone mocks your career, it’s okay to call it out or disengage.
• Use assertive language—speak up with confidence and correct misinformation.
• Surround yourself with like-minded peers or mentors in the field.
• Educate others when you can—but know you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

Always remember: pursuing psychology doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—it shows strength, compassion, and the courage to understand human minds and emotions better.