This week was Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mental health is most
certainly a topic that is very dear and incredibly important to me. As someone
who is aspiring to become a clinical psychologist, I feel it be a
responsibility of mine to help spread awareness, in the attempt to reduce the
great deal of stigma that has, unfortunately, been attached to mental illness. And, as a blogger, what better way than to spread awareness through my
very own blog!? In this post I will try my best to inform you of some of the
many issues caused by mental health discrimination, and in turn will share some
suggestions as to how you, as an individual, can help reduce these very issues.
I attended a talk on World Mental Health Day (10th October), and it
is the messages I received there, and from the brochure (put together by Time
to Change Wales) I took home, that I will be including and sharing with you in
this post. To find out more information you can visit Time to Change Wales
online.
There are many myths and stereotypes surrounding mental illness, and
many people affected by mental ill health are unjustly discriminated against. As
a result of discrimination, many of those with mental health problems often;
- feel isolated
- lose self-confidence
- feel embarrassed
- avoid everyday activities (such as going shopping)
- find it difficult to build new relationships and maintain existing ones
- have difficulty openly disclosing mental health issues for fear of being judged
As you can see there is such an immense negative impact of stigma on
those with mental health problems. And did you know that ¼ people suffer from
mental health problems? It isn’t as rare as you may have believed…
Many people shy away from people with mental illness as they don’t quite
know what to do, they don’t believe that there is anything they can do to help.
However this is so very far from the truth! There is so much that you can do,
even a few small words of support, love and respect can go a very long way in
making someone with a mental illness feel less alone, less scared and more
hopeful. Don’t be afraid to ask how they are if you know that they have been
unwell, let them know that you care.
Keep in touch, it’s as simple as sending a text message, giving them a quick
call or even sending them a short letter, to remind them that you care. Be open-minded, non-judgemental, and be
a listening ear, a lot of the time advice isn’t even required, just be there,
and listen. Be sensitive, and don’t use stereotypical words, and don’t make quick,
incorrect judgements. And remember
that a person is not defined by their mental illness, although it may be one
small part of them, it is not the whole.
It really is time to end mental health discrimination. There is still
way too much unnesessary stigma attached to many mental illnesses and it’s
important for those stigmas to be made aware and to be diminished. The
realities of mental illnesses need to be brought to light and those suffering
from them need to be understood and supported. Mental health issues are serious
and therefore need to be taken seriously. They are extremely challenging to
live with and everybody should make an effort (even if just a little) to make
sure that those suffering do not feel alone and scared.
This week of all weeks has made me even the more excited to begin my
career as a clinical psychologist, to do my part in the world to support those
that suffer from mental illness and to be responsible for teaching others about
the realities of mental health disorders.
Thank you all so much for reading this post. I know this was a very
serious subject matter, and may have been difficult for some to read, however
just because it is difficult does not mean we should ignore it. In fact it
gives all the more reason to acknowledge the negative impact of stigma and in
return reduce it. I encourage everybody to be loving, kind and respectful, and
I wish good mental health to all <3
Talk about mental health. End Stigma.
-Alyssa xo
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