Community Corner
E-motion: Grow More Aware
Do you know what health problem impacts 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children?
People often talk about physical health problems. In great detail. (Sometimes, in too great detail!) You only need ask, “How have you been?” Almost anything is up for general discussion — back problems, headaches, surgeries, even menopause.
But there is one area of health that rarely gets talked about in public. That seems rather strange, because it is much more common than some other conditions. This health problem is so common it affects 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 school-aged children.
Those who have it can be any age, any color, any size and have any amount of money. This illness doesn’t discriminate or play favorites.
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I’m talking about mental illness. Some of you reading might have a mental health diagnosis. Only unlike a physical health problem, you probably haven’t told many of your friends or colleagues, and maybe not even your family members. Or if you have told, you’ve likely asked them to keep it private. Really private.
We often keep mental issues private because of stigma. And for good reason. Stigma is a powerful thing. We are afraid we’ll lose our friends, lose our jobs or lose our standing in the community if people find out. Or we expect people will be afraid of us, think we’re crazy and wonder if we’re going to do something horrible or embarrassing. Or we worry people will be overly gooey in their sympathy and not treating us the same as others.
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The Mayo Clinic notes these harmful effects of stigma connected with mental illness:
- Lack of understanding by family, friends, colleagues or others you know
- Discrimination at work or school
- Difficulty finding housing
- Bullying, physical violence or harassment
- Health insurance that doesn't adequately cover your mental illness
- The belief that you will never be able to succeed at certain challenges or that you can't improve your situation
Pretty serious things. With all the associated stigma, it makes sense, doesn’t it, that people don’t feel comfortable admitting they have a mental illness?
It makes sense to me.
But it’s time to change.
I invite you to join me in standing up to the stigma associated with mental illness. Of course, it’s easier said than done.
Education helps. Awareness building helps.
Organizations like Active Minds, Bring Change to Mind and MAMI are working to reduce stigma. Others, such as the National Institute of Mental Health, World Federation for Mental Health and Mental Health America are involved as well. I encourage you to click on at least one of those links and expand your awareness in the area of mental health.
But don’t stop there. I have three personal recommendations as well. These are fairly simple things I think everyone can do, starting today. Here goes:
Number One-- Link yourself with mental illness.
That’s right, own it as something that could happen to you, your child or your parent. Maybe it already has. Being healthy mentally is part of overall health and well-being. That goes for everyone. Stigma starts when people are set apart from others. With 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 10 children affected, it is not a US versus THEM thing. It’s US.
Number Two—Watch your language.
How we talk about something influences us strongly. Next time you find yourself commenting on someone with a mental illness, check how you say it. Instead of saying, “She is bipolar” say, “She has bipolar.” The first equates a person will mental illness, leading to stigma and separation. The other correctly indicates a condition a person has. Change starts slowly, and this is a small but influential step to take.
Number Three—Start talking more about mental illness.
Maybe you aren’t ready to go out on a limb and share about your own mental health. That’s okay. But everyone can start talking more about mental health in general. Let’s get it to be part of our everyday health conversations. You could start by reading an article about depression and talking about it over coffee with someone.
Doing these three things will reduce the silence. It will reduce the shame. It will reduce the stigma.
This week is National Mental Illness Awareness Week. It’s a good week to start.