Stigma & Mental Illness

Posted by Roxie43 @roxie43, Dec 5, 2011

Albeit shameful and ignorant that it is almost 2012, and many of us are still confronted with biases. judgements and disparate treatment, I encourage all to hold your head up high. I know what it's like to be looked at differently because of a label, diagnosis or even someones inability to look deeper than the surface.
I often ask myself why some folks behave the way they behave and perhaps I will never find an honest answer. I hypothesize that perhaps there is something in me that may remind someone of themselves or that perhaps that, until recently, I had always functioned so well that those with certain belief systems or stereo-types feel that they are experts on who I am.
I recently posted on ECT and the benefits for me as an individual. Talk therapy is also important because it allows us to process, in a safe and healthy forum, the things that people have said or done to us. I recall when I first requested FMLA at work and a person made the comment "If you cannot report to work maybe you should not work". I was requesting intermittent leave because the stigma and disparate treatment was taking it's toll and this so called healthy individual was so insensitive.
I know we have come a long way but we still have a long way to go. Stigma is one reason some don't admit that something ails them nor seek help. We all have to use our voices, our stories, our expertise (on who were are) and continue to raise awareness about the importance of treating others the way in which one would like to be treated, not selective respect and equality but across the board.
Being good to one another should not be based on pre-conceived notions that certain populations are more worthy than others. We are valuable individuals with strengths, creativity, feelings and we contribute to society wholeheartedly and should always be viewed and treated as such!
Have you been treated differently lately? How did you deal with it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

@littledreamer

I am in a very good mood and have been trying to brainstorm ways to raise awareness on mental illnesses. I know someone who works for NAMI, I guess I could talk to her maybe. I'm also going to the library with my mom and sister so I'll probably check out a few books for ideas. I think it would be nice if we all stood up for ourselves.

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Thank you. You guys both are so kind and supportive.

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@littledreamer

I guess what I struggle with is how we are suppose to get people to understand. I mean, I feel like we can't really protest without people still thinking "well their crazy" or something like that, you know? I feel there is so much pressure on us to NOT make a mistake while we're trying to change things because if we do, well that just fuels their stigma.

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I am 14.

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@littledreamer

I guess what I struggle with is how we are suppose to get people to understand. I mean, I feel like we can't really protest without people still thinking "well their crazy" or something like that, you know? I feel there is so much pressure on us to NOT make a mistake while we're trying to change things because if we do, well that just fuels their stigma.

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thank you so much

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@china

Will never go away.

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Hey Roxie
I think you have hit on something there. I have experience in the education curriculum for psychiatrists and it is sorely lacking in compasion training and many other issues.
this has me thinking maybe we should start some kind of program that goes to the med schools for a day to teach?
LIzKat

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@littledreamer

I guess what I struggle with is how we are suppose to get people to understand. I mean, I feel like we can't really protest without people still thinking "well their crazy" or something like that, you know? I feel there is so much pressure on us to NOT make a mistake while we're trying to change things because if we do, well that just fuels their stigma.

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A brilliant fourteen year old!

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@china

Will never go away.

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Hi Lizzie,
Sounds great! I think all doctors and other provider's can benefit from an entire semester. How would we do this?
Hugs,
Rox

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@china

Will never go away.

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Hi Roxie and little dreamer
There is no way we would get a whole semester, I'm not sure how long we could get. Maybe we can come up with a cirriculum look around and find some grants to apply to and take it from there? Maybe after we have it polished a little we could get NAMI or SAMSHA to sponsor us or at least let us hang on their shirt tails?
LizKat

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@china

Will never go away.

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Lizzie we have to shoot for the moon. There is so much knowledge amongst us that we can really have a positive impact.
However, I'm in...just let me know what to do.
Rox

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@china

Will never go away.

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Roxie
WE need a new thread for this topic. How do we get a thread?

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@china

Will never go away.

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hi lizzie just go to discussions and post a new one it's wasy to do hugs piglit

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