WHY DO WE STILL HAVE A STIGMA REGARDING MENTAL ILLNESS?

I chose to address this topic as it is something that I am very passionate about and it saddens and sometimes even angers me that this still occurs.




We have the internet now.
We have many health resources for mental health, many promotions like mental health week, R U OK, we have education regarding mental health, we have social media platforms and people and organizations promoting mental health, we have celebrities opening up about their own struggles with mental health and more, yet many people are (or choose to be) ignorant around this topic.


Scarily it is also not just the general public.


I am ashamed to say that I often hear medical and nursing staff openly put down mental health workers, student nurses that have resented a placement in a mental health facility telling me they want to do "real" nursing.....
Seriously? Do they really think that nobody that ever comes in with a broken arm may have a mental illness?
Ironically they are on the phone begging for assistance as soon as they realize they do have a patient or client with a mental illness.




One of the saddest and frustrating things to have experienced, is getting a call from an Emergency Department with the opening words "One of yours is here..."
How dare they judge someone by their history?
Sometimes they have not even been an open client with our mental health team as are well and are being managed by their local doctor.
What is even more scary is that they may have come in for a physical problem and have not even been asked why they have presented let alone had any of their vital signs checked.




Please do not let this scare you as there are many excellent, informed and caring staff and we are all working on changing these attitudes and educating these people.
(Trust me a few have left a few burning ears when I have had my say to them) but we need to be aware that this stigma still exists and the only way to change is it, is for ALL of us to learn as much as we can about mental illness, educate others, share with others and stand up to those who put people with mental health issues down.


I know it is not easy and some people will just not want to know, however there are many that will be open to learning about mental illness and hopefully themselves go on to promote understanding for their contacts.




Why is there still such a stigma?
These are my personal beliefs only, you do not have to agree but in my opinion a lot of it stems from fear.
A large part of the blame for this stems from television shows, movies and media reporting.
The days of "One flew over the Cuckoos' nest" are long gone.




I think it also depends on what type of mental illness we are referring to.
It seems to be okay and "socially acceptable" to suffer from depression or anxiety as every second person you meet nowadays either has one of these diagnosis or knows someone that does and in many places it is "trendy" or "cool" to have your own "therapist" or "life coach" but if you dare mention the "S" word (schizophrenia) or "MD" (Manic depression) now called bipolar affective disorder, then people run for the hills.




So why is this? Why are people so scared or weary of anyone diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder?
People automatically think that anyone who suffers from these is, "crazy", "dangerous", "untreatable".
Yes when they are unwell and not on treatment they can be unpredictable but what about all the people that use substances and/or alcohol.
Just go to an emergency department any day of the week and see what ICE does to some users.
Those people take drugs by choice. Someone diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder did not choose that and I can assure you that most would not wish it on their worst enemy.




So what is schizophrenia?
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/schizophrenia




What is bipolar affective disorder?
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/bipolar-disorder


(I have chosen the above links as the Better Health Channel provides easy to understand information.)




Conclusion and suggestions.
Please do not continue to put up with the fear and ignorance that exists in our society.
Challenge people, ask them why they have negative views and encourage them to educate themselves, or if you feel comfortable do so yourself.
Do not be afraid of people who have a mental illness, it is a lonely place to be and most would appreciate just a simple hello and a chat.
Educate yourself online by reading information regarding mental illness, get involved in chat groups, social media groups, share your findings and support others.
If you see a tweet from someone with a mental illness, a simple comment like how brave they are sharing, wishing them all the best or similar can mean so much.
YOU can make a difference starting today!


For more information about helping people with a mental illness or if you suffer from one yourself then please visit my website.
http://www.valkeenalifecoachaustralia.com/