Not being seen or heard.....

This post is based on two resources.  One came from my friend Lorraine.  The message is clear on this photo:  http://on.fb.me/18gsN4l.  It also came from a post on BringChange2Mind which talked about how come people hide their mental illness at work.  Here is the article: http://bit.ly/16zCVau  So, do you see the connection?  Both of these resources basically talk about being seen and heard. For the mentally ill, this is an important topic.  Many people hide the fact that they are struggling with mental illness.  That is because people are likely to judge them if they know. Why is it so difficult to see the mentally ill in an accepting and non-judgmental way?  What is it about mental illness that brings out the nastiness?

Both of these resources have a powerful message.  They go to the heart of the lack of compassion that people deal with when they acknowledge that they have a mental illness.  If it can’t be seen, illness IS judged.  People view mental illness as something that can be changed  Just like that.  The responses that the mentally ill will hear are pretty predictable. "If only you were stronger.  If only you were better.  Get over it.  You don’t have faith.  You are being childish.  Grow up.  You just want to use drugs.  You aren’t capable.  We can’t trust you.  You will probably go off and hurt people.  You are bad.  Bad, bad, bad."  And the stigma is alive and well. 

The funny part is that while mental illness may not be seen physically in many people, a little empathy and openness could possibly give you a small snapshot of the problems that a mentally ill human being deals with. The symptoms of many mental illnesses can be found in many lives. Ever have a day in which you were sad and defeated and couldn't pull out of it?  Ever feel anxious to the point where you found it difficult to function?  Even if these symptoms were short-lived, you have a picture of what mental illness might be like. The only difference is that these symptoms occur for many people on a frequent basis.  And create difficulties in life that are chronic and severe.

Now, I do understand that there are many symptoms of mental illness that you might not be able to relate to.  Psychosis isn’t something that most of us have experience with.  But how come we don't we understand that illness isn’t a sign of weak character?  Or do we judge those with cancer in the same way?  Do people get cancer because they are weak?  Is it a character defect when someone gets a virus?  Or diabetes?  Does it mean you crave drugs when you take medication for high blood pressure?  Does it mean that you are childish if you have mesothelioma?  I don’t know.  I kind of assume that illness is illness.  It occurs because of biological or biochemical reasons.  Or because of environmental influences.  While our behavior may influence the incidence of some illnesses, like diabetes, it isn’t the whole story.  

I share my story because I want to stand up in spite of stigma.  I want you to see my humanity and to suspend your judgment.  I want you to face your prejudice and be open to the struggles of other human beings.  I want to challenge your assumptions. There are others like me out there. We are going to make sure that your mind is expanded. Not all of us are hiding anymore.  Watch out.  Here we come…..