Image: Time to change
Statistics show that in fact 1 in 4 people over their lifetime will develop some form of mental health. Whether it be from depression or anxiety to more severe illnesses such as, bipolar and schizophrenia.
The stigma and discrimination against people with mental health is horrific in my opinion. People are mistreated and misunderstood for an illness which they did not bring on themselves and have no control over. It is not yet determined what specific factors bring on mental health, so possibly it could happen to anyone of us. Although, it is identifiable that it can be a mixture of childhood experiences, stress levels, social impacts, environment and genetics. It is not yet possible to pre-determine whether someone will develop mental health. Hopefully this can happen in the future, however, communities should and need to be aware of the extent and effects of mental health itself.
If someone had a cancer I could guarantee they would not be treated the same. Although cancer is a terrible illness in itself, mental health is something which takes control over the mind and body. For people with severe mental health this can be detrimental to families and the sufferer themselves. You end up treating the people you love the most like they are nothing. The discrimination from others isolates you and many have suicidal attempts because they are not able to cope. In fact 90% of suicide victims suffer from a psychiatric disorder at the time of death, (Mental Health Foundation). Personally, this is a terrible thought.
Since writing my blog I have had emails in regards to how people feel they are unable to open about the struggles they are facing. Are terrified of going to the doctors as they do not want a diagnosis, because this makes it 'REAL'. Why is this you may ask? It is purely because they are embarrassed and worried what others may say about them.
If you have read any of my other posts around mental health, you will know that my mum is a sufferer of schizophrenia and depression. When my mum would ask me to go shopping with her, I used to be ashamed and embarrassed by her. She would be there standing and talking to herself, because of the voices and delusions she had. People would stand and stare, teenagers would stand and giggle and say "look at her, she's mental, how weird is she?" The comments definitely hurt me more than my mum. She was in her own little world, not a pleasant one at that, and I had no idea why she was the way she was, as i was only a child myself at that point.
The fact is mental health is so common, but i feel people do not realise this. People should not have to be ashamed of themselves or family members or be scared to ask for help, this is not right. The only way this can be tackled is for people to stand up and talk about experiences without the fear of being judged by so many. Obviously there are always going to be these type of people in the world, however right now i feel it is the majority, due to lack of understanding and education around mental health. At the end of the day we are all equal and should treat each other with respect regardless of a particular illness.
Imagine if your friend or a family member was too scared to talk to you? How would you feel?
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