If you believe that stigma has no impact on people living with mental illness, you are not talking to the right people. In my conversations, I hear evidence of stigma all the time. From well-meaning comments about how my depression meds aren't really necessary to changes in attitude when talking to someone about my mental illness. From doctors who become condescending to conversations on social media. It is out there. It is part of our interactions. We live with stigma. And not surprisingly, people living with mental illness talk about stigma frequently. A significant part of our conversation is about solutions. What can we do to erase stigma?
Today, I am here to report that we are doing it. Voices are raised. People are standing up and talking about it. How do I know? Because I am listening. When Maxine was so sick, mental illness wasn't a part of the conversation. My Mom literally walked around our suburban community without bathing for years and no one commented. At least not to us. They were probably talking. But not directly. And probably not with understanding about what was occurring. When people talked about Maxine, they were talking about the oddity in the community...here is this unwashed and sometimes hostile woman. They didn't have an understanding about the biochemical nature of mental illness, because science hadn't evolved that far.
What has changed? We have more knowledge about what mental illness is. And what it isn't. It isn't about a personal failing. It isn't about character defects. It isn't about weakness. It is an illness like cancer is an illness. It can be treated medically and sometimes through acquiring skills and making behavioral changes. Just like with diabetes, it can be managed. We have more to learn about mental illness. Research will continue to provide answers. And when people continue to talk openly and honestly, stigma will be addressed.
I am so proud of those brave souls raising their voices. Many of my friends are in the forefront of this effort. You are courageous. And you are smart. All I can say is keep on keeping on. And know that I am sending you all my love and support...
Today, I am here to report that we are doing it. Voices are raised. People are standing up and talking about it. How do I know? Because I am listening. When Maxine was so sick, mental illness wasn't a part of the conversation. My Mom literally walked around our suburban community without bathing for years and no one commented. At least not to us. They were probably talking. But not directly. And probably not with understanding about what was occurring. When people talked about Maxine, they were talking about the oddity in the community...here is this unwashed and sometimes hostile woman. They didn't have an understanding about the biochemical nature of mental illness, because science hadn't evolved that far.
What has changed? We have more knowledge about what mental illness is. And what it isn't. It isn't about a personal failing. It isn't about character defects. It isn't about weakness. It is an illness like cancer is an illness. It can be treated medically and sometimes through acquiring skills and making behavioral changes. Just like with diabetes, it can be managed. We have more to learn about mental illness. Research will continue to provide answers. And when people continue to talk openly and honestly, stigma will be addressed.
I am so proud of those brave souls raising their voices. Many of my friends are in the forefront of this effort. You are courageous. And you are smart. All I can say is keep on keeping on. And know that I am sending you all my love and support...
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