UNDERSTAND. CARE. ACT.
Combating the stigma of mental illness.
Some battles are waged on land and fought with tangible weapons. Some battles are fought silently in the mind. I wish to bring attention to those making their way, struggling with mental illness.
There are 450 million people who daily spar with mental illness. Treatment is effective yet two-thirds of people never seek help from a health professional. Although there are many hurdles to a healthy mental state, I wish to address one in particular, the stigma associated with mental health. A sufferer’s fear of discrimination due to the public shame and apprehension surrounding mental illness is a significant barrier. Fear of the social consequences and blemished reputation associated with mental health therapy prevents many sufferers from seeking a cure.
Humanity has placed great focus to eradicate discrimination based on the color, gender, religion and sexual preference. Success is achieved through education and exposure.
Let us dispel hate and prejudice and replace it with understanding and compassion. Public ignorance is a removable barrier.
We need to praise socially correct representations of mental illness and protest where misinformation, ignorance, prejudice, and discrimination lurk. We need to expose mental illness, we need to wake up and learn so we can be part of alleviating human suffering rather than perpetuating it.
Public ignorance is a removable barrier.
Ask yourself: Do I know someone who is has mental illness? How do I know that? How do I treat that person?
For comparison, ask yourself: Do I know someone with high blood pressure or diabetes? How do I know that? How do I treat that person?
The point is that mental illness is no different from hundreds of other medical conditions. There are particular steps and sometimes medications needed for the treatment of that condition, yes. However, because one has a medical condition does not automatically mean that person is incapable or dangerous. Yes, some accommodations may be needed but do not prejudge anyone’s abilities by a generalized stereotype. Stereotypes are prisons for both the viewer and the viewed. Look with compassion and understanding rather than ignorance and fear.
Why should I care?
Mental illness is pervasive throughout our world, our community and our families. If one in four people struggle with mental illness it is likely someone in your family needs your understanding and support. When you can put a face with mental illness you are more inclined to act. Battle the apathy gripping our nation. If it is not happening in our backyard we tend to ignore whatever it is. We feel gratitude that “it’s not us” but do nothing to help those whom are affected. We are global community of humans, have compassion on your fellow man.
How do I become informed?
There are several ways. You can educate yourself about mental illness from reputable online sources such as the Mayo Clinic and WebMD. Start with a broad understanding and follow specifics from there. Ask questions out loud. You may be surprised who around you is willing to discuss his or her experiences if you ask with a humble desire to understand rather than pious judgement. The more mental illness is discussed the more awareness can be created.
Become a StigmaBuster.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness, (“NAMI”) StigmaBusters are dedicated to the elimination of ignorance, prejudice and discrimination by changing public attitudes of fear, rejection, and isolation to community understanding, acceptance, and support of mental illness.
Get involved. Outreach is the key.
After you have educated yourself, you can help educate others. Be involved in your community: join civic groups and councils, boards of education, rotary clubs, and parent teacher associations. All of these are great places to begin.The more people that speak openly about mental illness and how it has affected them and their loved ones is one way to make a stigma disappear.
We can also reinforce correct representation by praising editorials, articles, television programs and movies that depict factual portrayals of mental illness. Battle inaccurate stereotypes by protesting offensive, incorrect and negative presentations of mental illness you see, and hear throughout the public media. Protest by contacting publishers, editors, radio stations, through email, telephone, and letters. NAMI has a helpline (1-800-950-6264) or website www.nami.org where you can obtain fact sheets and legal information to assist you.
