How do we get past the stigma??

[ci]

I have grown up around mental health issues, have had and still having my own battles as well.

After a recent incident sadly one family member negatively discussing about another  who sufferers with mental health I am left feeling utterly disappointed in people's lack of compassion and understanding. Please don't get me wrong there are people out there that do understand 

I am currently studying community service and passionately want to aim my skills at mental heath. I'm writing this thread to ask the question how do we remove the stigma how do you think we can educate people to understand that like any other health issue mental health is real and not a personality quirk!

It's so easy to have compassion for someone physically unwell but we find it hard to understand that our brains can have problems to. Even though it's the most complex part of our body. 

I want to help change this!

[white knight]

Hi I,

I have a few articles that might help in your endeavors. Just google them as they are written between the inverted commas.

"Topic: they just wont understand, why?- beyondblue"

"Topic: accepting yourself, the frog and the scorpion- beyondblue"

"Topic: rejection, its hard to swallow- beyondblue"

"Topic: Bullying- beyondblue"

"Topic: Why social media is no good for you- beyondblue"

"Topic: your attitude is not a mental illness- beyondblue"

"Topic: words are sticks and stones- beyondblue"

"Topic: defending yourself, don't be an easy target- beyondblue"

lots of reading. Hope they help.

Tony WK

[geoff]

dear Ci, it's a very good question you ask, and I'm sure it has been something which has troubled many people on how to answer it.
I don't know what I say is going to answer your query, as I'm sure anyone can offer their own suggestion, which you may agree with or disagree.
Well mental illness has been going on for centuries and has been classified as taboo, people were sent to asylums, put into straight jackets and the key thrown away, even people with epilepsy were also included as being insane, so the stigma has stuck, only because people don't understand what the word depression actually means, so those that haven't had it are told to 'snap out of it' because life goes on as they say.
People aren't interested in listening to someone with depression talk about their troubles, because it's 'too boring, and besides I have other things to do', whereas they may listen to someone who has cancer, why, well they have seen many people suffer from cancer, but perhaps not from depression, because people hide their troubles, so they aren't given the full picture of what this illness does to us.
Perhaps by saying to people and asking them a question 'do you get sad sometimes, then depression is a long extension of being sad for a long long time, which stops us from wanting to do anything and makes us very tired. Geoff.

[ci]

White knight and Geoff thank-you for your replies 

I feel so strongly that things can be changed as you said we many years ago would have been locked away. Along with other illnesses and disabilities so things have changed for the better but so much more needs to change.

When even your own family members can attack you for being mentally unwell you can see that there is still a long way to go. 

Depression anxiety mood disorders ect needs to be seen as a health issue not a personality issue. 

Maybe in schools is the way to slowly educate the next generation. Seems to be the way these days very different issue but environmental issues recycling and stuff are tought to our children in school maybe we could find a way to teach them about mental health?

[Gruffudd]

Hi there ci,

Thankyou for talking about this because I think it is a big part of what we need to be doing. My grandfather taught me that ignorance feeds on silence when telling me about history. So when you talk about stigma and these beliefs about mental health that are clearly untrue if you or a loved one has experience of it, well I think on that. If enough of us talk from our own experiences and break the silence we can change the world on this issue. Beyond Blue runs a speakers bureau - the people who tell their stories are doing something powerful that makes life better for all of us (makes them heroes in a way). It is much harder to remain narrow minded about something when confronted with a personal story or the experience of a loved one.

Rob.

[ci]

Hi rob thanks for your post and you are so right the more people that speak up about there experiences will make a huge difference towards people understanding mental health.

I am really passionate about this I have children and would love to know that if they go through a tough time people are more educated and understanding. I don't see any difference with someone having diabetes for example as a physical illness to someone suffering with mental health our brains are so complex more than any other organ yet people find it hard to understand medically you can have a problem.

What is the speakers bureau that beyond blue does? I haven't heard of it and would love to know about it?

[Doolhof]

Hi Ci and Everyone,

Thanks for sharing this topic with us Ci. You have already received some great feedback.

Regarding family members and understanding depression, it is difficult when family do not understand or recognise depression or other mental health issues.

I have depression and other mental health concerns. My Father in law has depression and severe anxiety, only he can not understand or recognise my depression. He tells me to just get on with it and to pull my socks up. I told him one day that even if I pulled my socks all the way up t my head it still wouldn't help.

My Mum has depression, I wouldn't be surprised either if she would be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. No one is game enough to suggest that she see a Dr about this! I have BDP as does one of my nieces. Mum cannot understand or accept what we are going through and just feels like we are trying to make life difficult for everyone else.

We all tip toe around Mum so we do not upset her or make her "ill".

For me, I think there will always be people who have very little understanding of mental health issues as they have little compassion for other people.

Educating people, telling them the facts, giving them access to stories and personal experiences may help some people, but I am sure there are others who will never accept or understand mental health issues for what they are.

I applaud you and others who are openly wanting to educate and help others.

It would be wonderful if everyone were to acknowledge and support mental health sufferers.

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[ci]

Thanks for your post Mrs dools

Your right some people will struggle to accept or understand you made me laugh reading about your mum and no one being game to suggest she sees someone not because it's funny but my mum is exactly the same! She definitely has something going on but she won't acknowledge it and she so volatile on one would feel safe to suggest it.

She also makes fun of me and my brother because of our mental health issues and thinks it's a weakness. Sad thing is she works in the mental health field.

I know won't change everyone but I think if the younger people where educated properly about this then slowly over time things will change.

I refuse to be made to feel ashamed or silent about my own issues I understand others don't feel the same and that's fine too we all have our ways of dealing with what we go through.

I just need to find the right way to get my ideas and drive to change into the community.

I probably sound bit crazy but I passionate about it.

[Gruffudd]

Hi Ci,

You can find out more on the Speakers Bureau here:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-involved/our-speakers-bureau

It is people telling their own stories to help build understanding in the community. I think a bit of structure helps, it gives that support so that it is a positive experience for everyone.

Rob.

[pipsy]

Hi ci. I totally agree that people today should have more understanding about mental health issues. Prince Philip's mum had mental health issues. She was also profoundly deaf, could lip read in several different languages, yet she was 'locked' away for years. People recoil in horror when you mention things like Asperger's because of the 'stigma' with mental health. If someone is diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, heart problems it 's accepted. The minute you mention mental health everyone thinks they're going to 'catch something'. Depression can be inherited, but today, it is controllable where yesterday, it wasn't. My mother's family had varying degrees of depression, but they were the 'old school' type, where you simply 'got on'. As far as I know no-one in my mum's family ended their life. To them that would've meant 'giving in'. I think it's possible some of the royals do suffer depression, but they're simply not allowed to 'give in' to feeling this way. Education doesn't enter that equation, denial is the quickest way of handling it. Denial, to me, simply means not allowing someone to help you. Asking for help is also a stigma, as you say, it's sad, but a fact. If you can change the way people think, more power to you.

Lynda.