Stigma & Mental Illness
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.
Thankyou! It really helps to know that you and Roxie43 are always here. Have a great day!
We all have good and then challenging days. What's important is that we are alive and can continue working on ourselves.
The most important thing to remember is never to give up HOPE ....
God bless
Rox
Thank you too. We are in this together so never forget you are not alone!
Rox
Thank you for not judging me and always being kind and supportive
Rox
I was told by a friend that I am allowing the enemy to win. She told me that I should not own other peoples issues. I have known this for some time but for some reason when she called me and said it for the 100th time I thought about long and hard and she's right.
She said some people are good and some could not begin to show another human being any type of empathy because they are cold and in denial of how horrible they feel about themselves.
Another friend who runs a drug abuse program wrote me and said "Girl, don't you know racism, differential treatment and stigma never went away"? This pill was hard to swallow but I can understand what she means.
I don't like seeing people as enemies, except for 1 person, but the truth is we all have to continually protect ourselves because we just don't know others intentions until proven otherwise.
Then, Delia, spoke about forgiveness and letting go and she is so on point with her insight and advice. I need to let go and stay away from people that do not uplift my spirit even if it means that down the road I make some profound changes.
All said, no matter how good you try to be to others there will always be at least one person who will take out their unhappiness on others.
I have had my share of pain and unhappiness, so this is not an excuse for the behavior, but perhaps I need to have more empathy even for those that trespass because there has to be something really going on with a person who intentionally hurts others.
Here's to learning how to let go, move forth and praying for those with more internal pain than I have.
Rox....
Always will be here to support you in any way I can. I would never be judgemental not in my nature as you know. Thanks for being there for me too Piglit
Lisa dont be so hard on yourself. There is not a person in this world who's days are great 100& of the time. You're trying and that's what matters.
So proud of you for tryingtoo Lisa everything will be okay. Remember one little step at a time
Hi Lisa ....we appreciate you as well!
You were denied a privilege at church because you have an illness? How does a church, a safe and all accepting institution single you out? Did you tell anyone at the church how you feel?
So sorry thatt is unholy.