stigma
People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.
World Mental Health Day: The Important Topic No One Is Talking About. Top Story - October 2017.
Today is World Mental Health Day, which you probably didn’t know. You might not have even known that World Mental Health Day is a thing that happens every single year, but now you do and you definitely should care. World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year with the main intention of raising public awareness of mental health issues and increasing efforts in order to achieve better mental health. It is a day for global mental health education and advocacy against social stigmas that so frequently surround various mental health issues. Every year, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people's lives worldwide.
By Liz Shannon8 years ago in Psyche
Mental Illness Isn't Going Away
I have anxiety, and like many people with any sort of chronic ailment, I have good days and bad ones. However, something I've discovered over the years is that the tolerance, for lack of a better term, for a mental illness is sometimes just not there in the way that it can be for a physical condition. Sometimes, the desire to simply understand what a person with mental illness might be going through on the daily isn't there either.
By Christina St-Jean8 years ago in Psyche
A Bitter Bitch's Biography
Remember in the old cartoons when someone, usually a large, very angry chef would whip out an even larger fish and just slap a guy in the face? Then the guy gets so angry that his whole body turns red and bursts into flames? That's what it was like the first time someone called me bitter. A dear friend of mine had gotten engaged and the conversation turned to my being single where a series of 'positive' encouragements washed over me like a sea of overly-hopeful mothers. I responded like any other smart-ass would have: 'Oh, I just haven't found anyone willing to put up with me.' Then, the four most dangerous words were spat at me by an eighty year-old man: "Oh, don't be bitter." His words resonated with me for days. Was I being bitter? I was ecstatic for my friend and surely I am not being bitter if I am happy for her. Yeah, I was a little jealous of their 'inspirational couple' status. But I was still happy for her. In my mind, bitterness and happiness could not exist at the same time. If you were bitter, then you were just a sad and angry person. I used to think bitterness went hand in hand with resentment. I am here to tell you that I was wrong. Am I still bitter? Sure am. But, am I happy? Absolutely.
By MichelleLuongo8 years ago in Psyche
Fighting Back!
Think about it. If someone walks up to you and tells you that they have a cold, you wouldn't really think anything of it, right? You might take a few steps back and cover your mouth, but there's no shame or awkwardness to it. Now imagine that same person walking up to you, saying, "I have a mental illness." What would you do? Would you ignore them? Call the police? Would you do nothing?
By Andrea Guyton8 years ago in Psyche
The Stigma Attached to EUPD and PTSD
When I tell people that I have Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, they look at me as if I am crazy and often avoid me like the plague. They assume that I am violent or dangerous to be around. This conception is just two of the stigmas attached to my illness. It also gets mistaken for Emotionally Unstable Borderline Personality Disorder, which is the same thing but a different type of illness.
By Carol Ann Townend9 years ago in Psyche
Open Letter to the Depressed and Anxious, or Both
"You'll be fine." "Just be happy." "Do something that makes you feel happy." "It's only a phase. We all have rough times. You'll get over it." "You do this just for attention." These things are constantly repeated tirelessly to people who are exhausted by only getting out of bed. Shoved down the throat of someone who feels like they're drowning even though they aren't near a single body of water. Repeated to people who are dying to do the things they love but don't see the point in doing so. Words that are drilled into someone who is crying out for help but is seemingly ignored. These phrases are fed to people who may be considering committing suicide because they feel like they don't matter and physically hurt from loneliness and hurt. Phrases said to those with depression.
By Summer Smith9 years ago in Psyche
Read This if You Think Mental Health Is a Joke
According to Statistics Canada, as of 2014, over 2,300,000 people were diagnosed with a mood disorder (1). That's approximately 6.3% of the population. The CMHO states that as many as 1 in 5 children and youth in Ontario alone will experience some kind of Mental Health problem, with 70% of cases having an onset during adolescence or childhood (2).
By Lorah Catherine9 years ago in Psyche
