Today is the kick off of #MIAW2019. The week runs from the first Sunday in October to the following Saturday.
#MIAW2019 is about fighting the stigma surrounding mental illness. Sometimes it can feel like beating a dead horse when we constantly talk about stigma - but we keep talking about it because it keeps hanging around. We've come a long way from sentencing people to death, or damning every mentally ill person to live out the rest of their days in an institution. So I mean, pat on the back for human kind!
Because life is so different now - the repercussions of stigma have changed, also. Stigma essentially stems from a misunderstanding, or lack of knowledge, of what causes mental illness, and how it mentally and physically affects people. This misunderstanding can lead to multiple issues, including (but not limited to):
-Loneliness - People tend to be scared, or cautious, of what they don't understand. This means that many people who display symptoms of mental illness (especially mood disorders or psychotic disorders) may find it difficult to find and keep relationships with others. Symptoms of some of these disorders can be scary and difficult to deal with, especially if you don't understand what's going on. But remember, that means the person experiencing the symptoms is probably also scared and having difficulty with them.
-Employment - Mental illness can make it hard to find, and keep, employment. Multiple days off work during an episode, poor performance at work, or interpersonal issues with co-workers can make employment difficult. The misunderstanding of mental illness means employers are unable to navigate knowing what is acceptable (and excusable), in terms of how symptoms may affect attendance, performance or interpersonal relations during an episode, and there for do not have any leeway for these types of situations. This can result in poor performance reviews, missed opportunities for promotions or raises, or termination of employment. In many cases, those with more severe symptoms find themselves unable to hold or attain any type of employment and are forced to live on government assistance.
-Mocking or violence - Many symptoms (especially those of some of the more severe illnesses) incite mocking or violence towards the person displaying the unusual behaviours. How often do we see videos taken of someone clearly displaying symptoms of a mental illness, meant only to laugh at them?
Clearly, these sorts of issues can cause people to feel isolated, misunderstood, unworthy, and unlovable. In turn, this will feed into the negativity the mental illness is already seeping through their consciousness.
None of this means that someone who has a mental illness is not accountable for their day to day actions and behaviours. It means that just because there is a diagnosis on paper does not mean they are to be treated poorly. Take the time to learn not only about the diagnosis and symptoms, but also what causes it in both environment and biological and physical factors. Try to help someone through their symptoms, and be understanding (try not to take what the illness says or does to heart). And finally, please understand that mental illness is not a choice - but being healthy is, and choosing not to take medications, go to counselling, or take care of yourself is part of being healthy.
Have you experienced stigma in your life? Have you unknowingly stigmatised someone or treated them with a misunderstanding of their issues? Sign up in the top right hand corner so you can comment, and then sound off below on what you think of the stigma surrounding mental illness where you live!