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MENTAL ILLNESS CAUSED BY LACK OF GOOD OLD FASHIONED WILL POWER.
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You may have read this headline and reacted negatively to whoever would be so ignorant to write such a statement. Yet this is just one of the many myths that is perpetuated each and every day by millions of people about mental illness.
There should be no doubt in anybody's mind that these myths reinforce a terrible and sustained stigma surrounding the numerous brain diseases that are termed mental illness. The word "Stigma" is defined as a mark or sign of shame, disgrace or disapproval, of being shunned or rejected by others. Perhaps you have experienced this definition first hand as a person with a brain disorder or as a parent, spouse, sibling, other family member or friend of a person afflicted with a mental illness. You may have experienced this stigma with co-workers, friends, other family members or possibly at church.
The truth is that you cannot speak about schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, etc. the same as you would about cancer, diabetes, asthma, or any of the other "recognized physical illnesses" with most people. There is a powerful veil of silence that is applied to speaking about mental illness that has a devastating effect on the person with the illness, family members or friends, and also the community in general. When it is talked about, it is often in derogatory or demeaning terms.
How is it that when a person suffers a heart attack, he/she is taken to a hospital for treatment and care, but a person whose brain chemistry is out of balance is sent to the funny farm, nut house, booby hatch or some other such place. Diabetes is treated by a doctor, mental illness by a head shrinker. Isn't it amazing to compare the terminology used to describe hospitalization and treatment between illnesses.
People with a mental illness suffer several labels or stereotypes which makes a difficult illness even more difficult to cope with. Several of these are routinely, and without thought, reinforced in movies, TV, and the media. Common among the labels or stereotypes are: lazy, unsafe to be around, unintelligent, dangerous to children, irresponsible, untreatable, without conscience, and on and on. These negative stereotypes result in discrimination and isolation for the individual suffering from a brain disease and effectively close the door to adequate insurance coverage, employment opportunities, and the chance to be participating and productive members of society.
The facts about mental illness
oThey are disorders of the brain that disrupt a personò³ ´hinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are brain disorders that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.
oMental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income.
oDespite media focus on the exceptions, individuals receiving treatment for schizophrenia are no more prone to violence than the general public.
oOne in five families is affected in their lifetime by a severe mental illness, such as bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression.
oMost importantly, these brain disorders are treatable. Most people with serious mental illness need medication to help control symptoms. Supportive counseling, self-help groups, housing, vocational rehabilitation, income assistance and other community services can also provide support and stability, leaving the focus on recovery.
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The stigma attached to mental illnesses is created and sustained by the myths about brain disorders. Kathy Cronkite, author of On The Edge of Darkness and daughter of newsman Walter Cronkite, described her own battle with depression. "Stigma is only ignorance," said Cronkite. "Once we understand that these are medical illnessesí¶’í¸¥n there can be no more stigma. The real problem with stigma is that it keeps people from getting help."
This stigma can and must be eradicated, and the power to do just that resides in each one of us. There are 3 basic and straightforward actions to take:
1)Education- it is critical that everyone understands that severe mental illnesses are brain disorders that can be diagnosed and treated as successfully as other physical illnesses. Begin with yourself- do you know the facts and where to get additional information to be well grounded in these illnesses. Set a goal for yourself to help just one other person understand the truth about mental illness. There is a plethora of information available to you, free of charge, at the NAMI-MC Library, from the fact sheets we have available, from the web (see numerous sites listed elsewhere),from Family to Family workshops, from our membership and various other sources. Of course, if you have the desire and energy to be involved beyond helping one person, consider volunteering time and talent to NAMI-MC as a support group leader, workshop facilitator, newsletter person, speaker, delivering brochures or pamphlets, connecting at church or your social circle or a hundred other ways you can reach out to help educate our population.
2)Confront discrimination- in insurance coverage, housing, education, employment, and access to services. Write a letter to your politicians in support of new laws to end discrimination, e.g. insurance parity bill that has been squashed several times at the state level before it ever got a fair hearing. Check political candidates platforms and voting records before casting your ballot. Write letters to the editor, let your voice be heard, donò´ ªust suffer in silence.
3)Challenge negative stereotypes- we must stop accepting the view of people with brain disorders as dangerous, incapable, lazy, evil and foolish. These and other labels are seen daily in the media and in casual conversations. People with mental illness are often the butt of jokes as was the case with Alonzo Spellman who, at that time, played pro football for our own Chicago Bears. A couple of years ago, Mr. Spellman suffered a manic episode, was hospitalized at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, and subsequently walked out of the hospital in the dead of winter clad only in a hospital gown and barefoot. Callers to local sports radio talk shows had a field day with jokes and quips about this poor soul who could have froze to death while wandering aimlessly. Reports had several sightings of him, yet no one would stop to help. Fortunately, hospital personnel were finally able to get him safely back to the hospital. He now plays for the Dallas Cowboys, where he started every game last year and played at a high level all season.
I feel a lump in my throat as I recall the Alonzo Spellman incident and how easy it is to dehumanize a person with a mental illness, but this is what the stigma is all about. This story is repeated hundreds and thousands of times a day in different ways and in different places and will continue until we, you and me, decide that enough is enough and put a stop to it. Look for your opportunity to do something about it. Those opportunities present themselves every day, it's a matter of seizing these opportunities the best way you can.
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