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End the Stigma of Mental Illness
by JamieLynn Gonzales, BeMeBetter
We hear it in the news, see it on social media, and witness it firsthand in our families or within ourselves…Mental Illness. We are surprised every time someone struggles to manage behavior and mood. We are shocked when we hear about completed suicides and ask, “Why did they not get help?”
The answer is because of the cruel stigma about mental illness. We are all guilty of it at one point in our lives. We all use the terms “crazy,” “nuts,” and “psycho” as quickly as we say “Hello” without considering the impact it has on those around us.
When I was fighting breast cancer, I was never second-guessed or asked why I could not make it to work. Not once. All I received was support and a lot of “What can I do?” Those with high-functioning or debilitating mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar, or anxiety are not afforded this luxury. There is no “Welcome back” or “What can I do to help?” Only side glances, avoidance, and cooler talk.
Can you blame a person with mental illness for keeping to themselves or being too fearful of reaching out or seeking help? Stigma about mental illness prevents seeking help and prolongs the suffering.
They already struggle with low self-worth and limited social support. We would never dream about questioning a person with cancer, so why do we do it to those with a mental illness.
We often see the heartfelt memes that make us feel great. The one about a boy going home to kill himself but changing his mind when a peer says “hello” on his way home is a tearjerker. The fantastic thing is it is so true. You can be the one person in this world that makes a world of difference in the one person. You can literally save a life.
1 in 4 people is affected by mental illness. Children with anxiety disorders are least likely to receive treatment. People of color have less access to care. 12.2 million adults have serious suicidal thoughts. Suicide is the third leading cause of death. That is around 1 death every 11 minutes.
Mental illness often goes unseen or ignored until something happens. Those left behind are often riddled with mixed emotions—grief, sadness, anger, guilt, and shame, to name a few.
Let us do something about this. Let us be the generation that breaks the stigma and opens the conversation about mental illness.
Okay great! We answered the call to action. Now what?
First, let us understand what mental illness is. A mental illness negatively affects a person’s THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, and BEHAVIORS.
Second, use respectful language. Do not use hurtful words like “crazy.” See the person, not the illness. Just listen and be open to conversations about mental health. Offer support. Take action to raise awareness by educating yourself and others.
Third, what do we look for if mental illness is often silent and unseen? Let us learn the warning signs. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) highlights ten common signs.
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
- Trying to harm or end one’s life or making plans to do so
- Severe, out-of-control, risk-taking behavior that causes harm to self or others
- Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart, physical discomfort, or difficult breathing
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Seeing, hearing, or believing things that are not real
- Excessive use of alcohol or drugs
- Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality, or sleeping habits
- Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still
- Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness:
Find a therapist to talk to regularly. You can reach BeMeBetter by visiting our website or clicking here to contact us!
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255),
Lifeline Crisis Chat, or
Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741)
In New Mexico:
NM Crisis Line
1-855-662-7474 (Counselor),
1-855-466-7100 (Peer),
1-855-507-5509 (1st Responder), or
Download the App
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