stigma
People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.
I'm not Illiterate. I just have a few mental illnesses...
I remember the end of pre-K right before entering elementary school vividly; the last day of class my parents picked me and my belongings from the year up at the school I was attending. (A very rare event, personally, for me, normally my parents reaped public school's transportation to save gas.) Nonetheless, this day was different. I was excused early because it was our last day as a class, and I was moving on to a different school in a district far from my peers. Being young this was disheartening but not for the average "I'll miss my friends" reason.
By Abbán Dodge4 years ago in Psyche
The Stigmas of Mental Health
I am going to educate you a little on the basics of mental health so you can be aware of those around you-- I hope to persuade you to think before you speak, because you never know who around you is fighting the invisible battle of living with a mental health issue.
By Clara Reinke4 years ago in Psyche
The Truth About Behavior Health Floors.
I was 21. I wasn’t new to the process but this was a first for me. The double doors closed and locked as I watched my mother who had just traveled an hour and a half as fast as she could to ease me in. It didn’t matter. I cried out the tiny windows of the double locked doors as if this was it. This was how it was going to end. I would never come back from this. Next, I was wheeled to my room. White as a ghost the formalities blended together like that first time you feel grief when you lose a loved one for the first time. I sat in the exam room. I watched the needle go into my arm for a blood draw but I never felt a thing. Blank. I could feel my eyes swelling with tears that I didn’t understand. Who was I? What had my life come to that I was locked on this hospital floor unsafe to be alone? The rooms were cold. When did I get this bad? Why? I laid down on the hard mattress with blankets that felt and smelt like cardboard. All I could think about what the fact I had become a visitor in my own body, in my own brain. I closed my eyes and wished this to go away, forever.
By Emily Noonan-Phillips4 years ago in Psyche
A sad story: What Mental Health Awareness
1 in 5 adults in America experience mental illness. Nearly 1 in 25 adults suffer serious mental illness. One half of all chronic mental illness begins before the age of 14; 75% by age of 24. 1 in 100 (2.4 million) American adults live with schizophrenia. 26% ( 6.1 million) American adults live with bipolar disorder. 6.9% (16 million) American adults live with severe depression, 18.1% ( 42 million) of American adults live with anxiety disorders. 46.4% of American adults will suffer a mental illness in their lifetime.
By Katie Schwenk4 years ago in Psyche
This Is How Donald Trump Contributes To The Stigma of Drug Addiction
There were many reasons why watching the first presidential debate was infuriating. Donald Trump’s childish tantrums and displays of disrespect were worse than usual. I’ve seen grade-schoolers with better impulse control and guests on the Jerry Springer show behave better than he did during his first live debate with the former Vice President.
By Alyssa Sprague4 years ago in Psyche
World Mental Health Day: what about the rest of the year?
I have spoken and written openly about my mental health struggles for years. In fact, my first poetry collection - Dark Nights into Brighter Days - is an honest account of my experiences with depression and anxiety during my time at university and beyond.
By Daniel Burton4 years ago in Psyche
My Journey to Mental Wellbeing Started with Myself
As human beings, it is often difficult, if not impossible for us to wrap our own minds around something that we cannot see or do not understand. In large part, that is how certain stigmas are born and cemented into society. That, coupled with failure to educate or refusal to learn is why a dark cloud still hangs around the subject of mental illness.
By Lauren MacDonald4 years ago in Psyche
Neurodiversity 101
Why am I passionate about neurodiversity? I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two and have lived with it my entire life. Years of attending inclusive school programs, counselling services and dealing with multiple challenges increased my ability to put myself into neurodiverse peoples shoes. People who are neurodiverse face many challenges every day: bullying, problems in the workplace, social problems, depression, anxiety, learning challenges, being denied certain opportunities and being underestimated. However, people's challenges vary from person to person. Not everyone who is neurodiverse has the same obstacles and strengths. Every person is different based on their family status, health status, culture, race, place of birth, place of residence and many other variables. The first time I started learning about neurodiversity was in Grade 9. My teacher did a presentation about neurodiversity and explained to the class that its like being a part of another culture rather than living with a debilitating disease or condition. After that day, I have been passionate about neurodiversity. The light that the teacher shone that day, really inspired me. It also motivated me to embrace my diversity and accept my peers for who they are. Learning about neurodiversity also increased my level of community involvement and ability to teach others. I am still learning about neurodiversity, even if I am out of high school. I think it is a valuable thing to learn and appreciate on a daily basis. Many people are still unaware of neurodiversity, which is why it is crucial to increase the awareness and ability to accept different kind of people.
By Talia Devora4 years ago in Psyche
The Things We Don't Talk About in the Light
It took a lot of thought and balls to write this and even more to finally post this for the world to see. At times, I feel like any anxiety or depression I feel isn’t worth talking about or not worth it as I see others who have it worse. Tackling this part of me to ask or seek help is the hardest. Like most men, many of us see it as a sign of weakness and not one of strength.
By Matthew Angelo4 years ago in Psyche
Mental Illness
The term mental illness can be daunting. It can be scary and bring an uneasy feeling. Discussing mental illness in public is frowned upon by some. But why? What made society believe that talking about mental illness is bad? Why are we afraid to discuss the seriousness of mental illness? Why are some people afraid of people with mental disorders? Is it their “unpredictability?” Or is it our inability to fully understand their illness?
By Marissa Hall4 years ago in Psyche