Stigma
Bev Cress, MS - Special to the Gazette
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
“The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans suffers from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they’re okay, then it’s you,” jokes author Rita Mae Brown. We laugh at this in our attempt to avoid of the discomfort associated with mental illness. Yet that stigma and discomfort are a reality for those who are recovering from mental illness.
No one asks to have mental illness. Sometimes it is caused by temporary situations such as grief, stress, or difficult circumstances. Other times it can be genetic or have a physical origin. No matter what the cause, treatment is the key to recovery. Studies show that recovery is also enhanced by support of family and community.
Some people still believe what was thought to be true hundreds of years ago — that mental illness is a result of weakness, laziness, or some moral or intellectual deficit. This could not be further from the truth, but the idea continues to be accepted by some and can prevent those who are suffering from emotional pain from reaching out to receive help.
So, how can we change the public’s perception of mental illness and remove the stigma of receiving help? Education is the key. The message that mental illness is just that — an illness that can be treated and from which one can recover — must be shared with all who will listen.
As with any other illness, those who are suffering from emotional pain should feel free to receive the proper therapy to heal or control the condition. One would hardly consider ignoring diabetes, cancer, or heart disease. We reach out for a trained professional for assistance in either curing or controlling the illness. Shouldn’t we follow the same advice when suffering from mental anguish? Yet stigma sometimes prevents us from reaching out for that help.
Some of the ways we can reduce the stigma of mental illness include the following:
F Learn about mental illness and treatments for the disease. The more you know about it, the easier it is to realize it is a disease and should be treated.
F Treat those with mental illness with the respect and compassion that you would afford a person with any other disease. Remember that the disease is only a part of who they are.
F If you or someone you love is suffering from emotional pain, do not hesitate to request help. Therapy can improve the quality of your life.
Together we can move away from the antiquated beliefs that support a negative perception of mental illness and move toward a more enlightened perception of treating the disease as we would any other disease. As that occurs, stigma will recede and be replaced by improved mental health.
F This column is provided by the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas. For more information, brochures, or to request a speaker for your organization, contact Bev Cress at (620) 343-2211.