I normally post online about Muppets, coffee, musicals and cats, (not Cats the musical, the furry-animal-kind) but recently all I’ve been posting about is the Kenneth Cole billboard that links mental illness and gun violence. Why? #1 Because it perpetuates mental illness stigma. #2 The effects of that stigma are devastating.
Yes, I am now on a tireless quest to get people to understand why the billboard basically ate my soul when I saw it. CRUNCH! Don’t worry- I recovered my soul, undamaged. Souls are really durable.
I posted a blog critiquing the billboard on Facebook which was mostly ignored.. (got maybe 2 likes) I’ve had friends say, “What’s wrong with the billboard again?” I got 318 likes on another post.. but that one was about my hair.
Believe me, I miss my tweets about Kermit and the keyboard cat, too, but for now I need to focus on something more important. (I’m so sorry, keyboard cat. We will unite again)
You might say, “Wait… me? I don’t stigmatize people with mental illness! Why am I even reading this right now?” Well, you might be surprised at how our culture and the media’s view has seeped into your consciousness in ways you don’t even realize. (That sounded creepier than I meant it to) Super kind-hearted friends have said things to me about mental illness to “help” that felt like more like a punch in the stomach. Even I need to work on the way I see myself and others with mental illness. (Hey- I’m calling myself out here, too!)
Here are 10 reasons why you (and I and everyone else.. *cough* Kenneth Cole) need to stop stigmatizing people with mental illness.
#1 It makes people resist getting help.
Those three words, “I need help,” floated around behind the curtain of my mind for so long. They’d peak out.. peak a little more… and then run back to hide again. I felt them trying to slide out of my mouth, because they were so desperate to be heard, but shame would push them back again and I’d swallow hard. When they finally escaped they wore a lot of costumes. There were in a lot of, “I thinks” “Maybes” and “I’m not sure’s” to cover what I really needed to say.
When we make people feel like there is something odd/shameful about struggling with a mental health issue, we make it extremely hard for them to admit that they need help. When they finally do, often the effects of the illness have already wreaked havoc in their lives. When it should have been their first step, it’s their last resort. Adding shame, guilt and fear on top of already unbearable emotional pain is the worst thing we can do. When people don’t ask for help they continue to suffer and suffering is exhausting. It can lead to suicide.
#2 It makes people feel like monsters.
I remember telling a friend that I had depression and took medication for it. The next day she told me, “I had a dream last night that you were chasing me with an ax because of what you said about depression!” Um… excuse me? I was so confused and SO hurt. Me? The girl who took a cockroach out of her apartment to set it free? The girl who gave the building exterminator an orange freeze-pop and asked him to please NOT kill the mouse? The girl who helped the homeless man who had fallen (that a crowd of people was ignoring) and held his hand until he calmed down? This made me never want to tell anyone else.. ever again.
The stigma surrounding mental illness causes people to feel like monsters when they are actually valuable, wonderful human beings who deserve respect, care, and for their courage to be celebrated. The media shouts and obsesses over extremely fearful things like, “DID THE MASS KILLER HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS?” or “MONSTER SHOOTER HAD DEPRESSION” but they NEVER show you all the people with mental illness that are doing phenomenal things in this world. They never show you Kay Redfield Jamison, who is a brilliant psychiatrist with bi-polar disorder. They don’t talk about how Harry Potter author, J.K. Rolling, struggled with depression. They don’t show you the moms, dads, teachers, lawyers, doctors, artists, composers etc. They hide the Mozarts and show the scary people whose names I don’t know because I don’t watch the news. (I have anxiety, people! LOL) The media does such a disservice to those to suffer with mental illness and continually misrepresents who they really are. I guess fear sells but it also shames and shame is poison to the spirit. (Sorry- I get really indigo child sometimes) Studies show that people with mental illness, as a group, are no more violent than the general population. They are more likely to be victims of crimes. End. The. Stigma. #endthestigma (Join us on Twitter!)
Enough with the shaming. It’s cruel and it’s so tiring. See how exhausted these people are already? And it’s only #2.
#3 It makes you accidentally hurt people you care about. (And you look uneducated about the topic)
“Wow! Someone didn’t take their meds this morning!” I heard a teacher say this recently. I was offended because this joke always describes someone acting like a total tool. People who forget to take their medication don’t suddenly act like the people you’re insulting for acting “crazy.” No one jokes about other medication… because it’s not funny.
Think of all the people you interact with and care about in your life. Ok, so one out of four of them have a mental illness. You never know who is listening and how your joking or comments affect them. Educate yourself about mental illness before you make hurtful jokes or get on your soapbox. All the cool kids are not stigmatizing anymore, so you don’t want to look like a goober. (All the cool kids are also not saying goober… Opps) Anyway, you don’t see me writing an article about diabetes because I haven’t read the research… Don’t preach about what you don’t know.
#4 It makes people feel alone.
Person 1: (tentatively) Well, I’ve been struggling with depression.
Person 2: (awkwardly) Well…. I HAVE TO GET GOING! GOOD-LUCK WITH THE…(whispered) depression!
When people don’t talk about mental illness (or whisper it like the word itself is dirty and ugly) it makes people feel like it’s uncommon and that they are a total anomaly for not being cray-cray happy all the time. It makes them feel like freaks because they can’t, “Just smile!” and like they are the only ones who have ever felt this way since the beginning of time. It’s isolating, when community and connection are so important in healing. I thought I’d always be the odd one out because of my wackiness. Now I have super odd friends and we are all awkward and wacky together. We need to know that our people are out there. We need to know that one day we will be welcomed with open arms.
#5 It makes people go off medication.
I heard so many lame comments from people that I trusted (with no medical background) about medication, that I went off of my medication probably about 10 times. I tried every alternative therapy known to man and gave 100% each time (fish oil, acupuncture, amino acids, diet, cardio daily, hypnotism, EMDR, CBT, mindfulness therapy, every self help book ever written, etc) but always ended up in the same position without the medication. This was awful for my body and completely exhausting emotionally. Each time I had to go on again I felt guilty and like a failure. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a hippie indigo child. I did not want medication! It was a brilliant, compassionate psychiatrist who sat me down and said, “Stop it,” who finally changed my life and my attitude. She said it wasn’t weak to take medication; it was strong. It wasn’t cheating at life by taking it; I was cheating myself and everyone else by continuing how I was. She explained to me intellectually what was going on and why I need it. She changed my life!
Mental illness is not just sadness or experiencing negative emotions. You can’t give someone advice about their treatment if you are comparing it to your own sadness. It’s like me saying, “Oh I just ate a doughnut and my blood sugar is probably higher than usual. Let me give you advice on how to treat your diabetes. You shouldn’t take insulin because that’s weak. I’m actually an expert on this… cause of the doughnut.” I’m sorry but your doughnut is not a medical degree. If it was I’d be a way over qualified doctor. Yes, some people use diet, exercise and alternative medicine but NEVER, EVER shame or act like someone is weak if they need medication. It can have devastating consequences.
Yes, it might be over-prescribed in our country but that doesn’t mean those who need it shouldn’t take it! Before you tell your cousin Mary to go off her meds and try berry smoothies and yoga, think about it. Before you tell your BFF that your friend Joe eliminated sugar (but he has amazing willpower) to cure his depression, think about it. It’s not appropriate.
#6 It makes people feel like the future is bleak.
I moved to New York City about five years ago (from a small town) and I’m a grad student at NYU with a 3.9 average. (4.0 last semester!) I just got chosen as a Dramatists Guild Fellow and am going to be working with Broadway professionals on a musical I’m writing about mental illness. I’ve won two National songwriting contests. Even cooler than that, I have amazing friends, a supportive community, I volunteer and I get to teach amazing kids. I am so happy. I got through the darkness and my life is brighter than I could have EVER imaged. I’m like, wearing sunglasses right now… seriously. But there was a time when I couldn’t imagine these things for myself because I didn’t see those awesome role models with mental illness, like Kay Redfield Jamison. I only saw super scary mental illness stigma. I started worrying I could “go crazy” at any time and lose my mind. I didn’t know how to paint a beautiful picture of the future because I wasn’t shown enough of these paintings. (Van gough would have been a great example! LOL)
People with mental illness need to be able to come of out the shadows stand proudly in who they are. We need to create space in order for them to do so. Stop throwing tomatoes at them and throw flowers! They deserve so many flowers. Our culture and media needs to celebrate their courage and speak openly about their experiences. I know its tough to be vulnerable and talk about pain, but it’s tougher to lose more people to these diseases.
#7 It makes people feel weak.
Person 1: I had depression once.. but I was just SO strong and cheered myself up with positive thinking and by reading The Secret. You attracted your depression and with strength and being diligent about your thinking you can get over it.
Person 2: Nope.
When we shame people for needing to ask for help and get treatment, it makes them feel weak and embarrassed. We need to change our perception of this because it’s wrong and super old fashioned. It takes TREMENDOUS STRENGTH and BRAVERY to ask for help and stay with treatment. It takes so much strength to go through the nightmare of figuring out which treatment will work, read magazines in waiting rooms from 1993, tell your story over and over, have people treat you like you’re the Hunch Back of Notre Dame (Great musical, BTW) feel like you have a war inside of you, and keep up with the care that goes with a chronic illness. It’s bad-ass. It’s not three little kittens lost their mittens, it’s warrior status.
#8 It makes people get crappy care.
Resident: (pumped) Hi! Great to meet you. I’ll be here about a month so I think we can develop a really solid relationship. I can meet with you for about 5 minutes today to hear your entire history!
Patient: (sarcastically) Super.
Care for people with mental illness should be top-notch (I mean.. wait… we are talking about the BRAIN, here, right?) and it’s so bad. It’s just so bad. It’s expensive, crappy or just completely unavailable. We get treated like we’re kids, talked to in condescending manners, and treated like we are subhuman. The insurance companies put us on hold and play music from an elevator in the 80s for 45 minutes to then just deny our claims. Their favorite line is, “There’s nothing I can do, ma’am/sir!” (Is it in their manual or something?!) The only doctor in our network is Dr. McDoesn’TGiveACrap. The psychiatrist sees us for 10 minutes and then expects us to take and stick with medication for the brain without any hesitation. (Hence why I couldn’t trust any psychiatrists until I found that awesome one) The secretaries tell us nothing is available for three months but we can try the ER. Compassion and humanism are missing, and they are EVERYTHING. We should be treated like the smart, capable people we are.
#9 It makes people not know what’s wrong with them.
I remember when I started having OCD and anxiety. I was so ashamed that I had to flip a light switch and count things. I didn’t even know that OCD was a thing. I thought I was just some kind of freak. I felt like a prisoner of my mind and was too ashamed to say anything so I just stayed trapped.
We have to educate kids, teens, and adults about mental illness or they may not even know that what they are going through is common, treatable and has nothing to do with their character, who they are, and all that they can be. When we are silent, they stay suffering and silent. They mirror how we feel about it. I like to say, “I have a fabulous life.. and a mental illness” because I know if I see it that way and believe it (and it is true) that you will believe it too and see it as a possibility. Stop trying to decide for me who I am, what I am capable of, and what my treatment should be (unless your my doctor you can decided the treatment thing) Stop defining me. It’s not your job.
We have to change our perception of people with mental illness . Education and awareness are key! I like to write really positively about it, because I honestly believe mental illness comes with gifts, talents and unique ways of seeing the world. I like to think of mental illness as having so much terrain to explore in your mind. You might get lost but it’s ok because: THERE ARE MAPS. You just need to find your maps. But we have to let people know about these maps. We have to let them know they can be Dora the Explora or Diego and.. whatever Diego does. Maybe we need a PBS show about mental illness… with muppets.. (See, I wrote this blog and feel better so now I can talk about muppets again) We have to let people know that they can build with their pain instead of destruct. Intense feelings can be an asset. Mental illness can be beautiful.
#10 It’s not compassionate.
We have to have compassion for people with mental illness and compassion for ourselves. Compassion will make everything cold and stagnant feel the warmth it needs to blossom again.
*PS I’m not a therapist or medical person so this isn’t psychological or medical advice
* If you are struggling, please get the help you need and the care that you deserve! It is SO strong and brave! Keep going!
Reblogged this on itsgoodtobecrazysometimes and commented:
so this
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😍😍😍😅😅😅😍😍😍😅😅😅
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Thank you for an excellent post – I totally agree with your list. It is people like you we need to educate those that have no understanding of mental illness except for what the media is teaching them. Really enjoyed reading this. 🙂
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It means so much that you understand! Thank-you soooo much!
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Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Thomas Edison. Every one of them worked tirelessly for a cause they truly believed in. Sure it was exhausting and sure any reasonable person would have thrown in the towel. But they didn’t. They were passionate freedom fighters, who decided that they would keep going, keep shouting these truths, even when people told them to sit down and shut up.
So if it takes 100 000 ooo more posts like this and another 1000 tweets just to get people to notice, I say go for it! We all have our stories, but without someone willing to stand up and tell them, then those stories simply fade into the back, unnoticed. Just think a fire always start with one tiny spark. One tangent of electricity to get the fuel burning and a post like this makes people look around and say “Hey I never thought of that before” The key to all of this is conversation. We want to get people talking, we want to stir up enough emotion to actually cause some action and hopefully mental illness will not just be a discussion for people that have it, but it will become a priority for even people who haven’t experienced it, when they recognize that this is really an issue of human rights and not just about “people who are sick” Today I finally got around to actually blogging about my story, something that I had been sitting on for awhile but I figured, if I can share it, then maybe it can help someone else too 🙂 https://melodicrose1.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/an-inflated-giant-called-depression-personal-essay/
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Um- you’re amazing- I need to email you ASAP about something! Xo
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Thank you! 🙂
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😊😊😊😍😍😍
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Really beautiful post! Completely on point.
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💚💚💚 thanks so much, love!
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Rachel,
Thank you for writing this! You make so many excellent points. I’ve had a family member ask if I took my medication because I was really anxious and I’ve had people act in ways that were less than kind when I tried to describe my anxiety. A lot of people tend to jump to conclusions before really trying to understand, which can lead to broken friendships and relationships.
I’ve also had a family member say things along the lines of me “attracting negativity” or just assuming that I’m depressed because I shared my feelings with her about something. One thing I can’t stand is people assuming people are depressed or people coming up with their own diagnoses for people just because they don’t truly understand what’s going on.
Like you mentioned, without proper education, both the person suffering from mental health issues and those around them, tend to not understand what’s going on and therefore judge themselves or those going through something. Misdiagnoses are often a result of not being educated.
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Yea- I totally agree- it’s so important for people just to listen and have compassion- to know they are not in your shoes so how can they know how your anxiety feels? Ya- people should diagnose unless they are qualified and in that clinical setting! 🙂 I think you are spot on when you say education is key- we are so afraid to talk about this stuff that people are just misinformed and ignorant about it 😦 thanks for posting and connecting!
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Reblogged this on Infinite Sadness… or hope? and commented:
I don’t reblog often. Actually hardly ever. But Rachel Griffin’s post here makes for some great reading. and so I have broken my rule. It’s long, but well worth making it a ‘must read’. Thanks Rachel.
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Omg cate- I’m so honored. Thank-you!
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Very good post. For the last three years our Women’s TriClub focused on mental illness issues. It’s such a very real part of many families. We even had Glenn Close come to a few of our events – as she is very involved with ‘Bring Change 2 Mind’ – a mental illness organization that helps people (http://bringchange2mind.org/) The stigma needs to be removed! Help is out there 🙂
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Oh yes- I loooove her organization! The hashtag for Twitter is theirs – #endthestigma that’s so awesome of your women’s club. Thanks so much for the advocacy and conversation you guys are having! 😍😅
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Love reading your posts. Please continue. I find them uplifting. Thank you my friend for sharing once again
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Really appreciate the encouragement, love! Thanks so much!
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Well done!
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Thanks so much!!!
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You are most welcome!
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Loved reading this! Such an amazing post on an important issue. Thank you for writing this. You are awesome!!
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Thanks tons, Lizzie!! 💜💜💜💜 I really appreciate your sweet comment! 🙆🏼👍🏼💜
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Amazing post! This is definitely an issue that needs to be talked about more. Your bravery to openly discuss such a personal topic inspires me!
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Aw thanks! I do it because I wish I had read something open about this stuff when I was really struggling- it’s so much less scary when you know others have gone through it and emerged ok! ☺️thanks so much for supporting! It is scary to share but it’s also rewarding and inspiring because you meet so many wonderful people !
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Some people don’t want to even talk about mental illness like depression because they are afraid of being typed. I hesitate to put POST ON BECAUSE I am afraid of being typed. I th8ink I will now.
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I know– I never wrote about it publicly until recently- but I figure if it helps people it’s worth it and if people disagree and judge me that’s their problem, you know?
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Reblogged this on Hope Soup.
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🌷🌷🌷💜💜💜
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Thank you for this, it’s so right and beautiful and necessary and (for me) affirming. The world needs it, and I happened to really need it at this moment, too.
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Thanks so much for this kind comment, Ruby- like I said in here, I even stigmatize myself- we all need to really let these truths that we are amazing people sink in — we all have to change our perceptions. The stigma is just so deep- so much love and hope your way!
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The worst thing is that if you try to discuss stuff like this people will cross you off the list. Couldn’t agree mlre with you! 🙂
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I know 😔 but they aren’t worth your time anyway! We should focus on the supporters! Xoxoxo
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Thank you for your post. The stigma that has gone along with my battle was big reason that I stopped battling in the way I knew how. My only daughter who battled depression and felt that I was the only one that she could share it with, exited this world last week at the age of 22. Many questions continue as to how in 2015 our precious youth have to deal with being afraid to get help due to what others think. Very sad.
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Oh that just breaks my heart. We will fight in her memory and all the ones we have lost to change things. So much love your way.
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Could it be triggered by certain events and people?
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Well done!!
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Thanks so much!!!
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only one reasonable stigma: being labeled as mentally ill by an MD. Feels so great to be different from *cough* -excuse me, the “normal”..
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Lol! 😍😅 I love your attitude!
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Fantastic!
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Thanks SO much!!!
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I totally agree with you on this! Good on you for sharing this ❤
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Thanks tons, Fiona! 😍😍😍
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So honest and to the point. Way to go, tell it like it is. I would love for you to checkout my blog if you aren’t so busy sometimes. You have great insight. Keep up the good work.
https://corriewright2013.wordpress.com
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I would love to corrie- can’t wait to check it out! So glad to connect! 😇😍😅
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Wow! I think you’ve more than covered each topic. And I agree, if eating donuts made me a diabetic expert, I’d have a friggin’ PhD. Wonderful that you are advocating on so many of our behalf. We need you and your spirit.
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Thanks so much, Sandra! I’m so happy we’ve connected on here and twitter! ☺️☺️☺️ time for a doughnut! Hahaha
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‘Your doughnut is not a medical degree.’ I really love this.
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Lol! Thanks so much! I always think in silly analogies! 😆😍😅
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I feel you on the Kenneth Cole part. I had other discussions I wanted to post like my own journals and National Recovery Month. But no…. He had to post that ignorant billboard! As much as I am happy for writing my feelings on that post, I am super ticked that I am behind in my posts! 😤
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Ugh! Well I’m really glad you stood up against the billboard- not everyone is that brave or gets why it’s a problem. Is this national recovery month? When it that? So cool. I know it’s suicide awareness month or week, right?
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Yes, this month is the National Recovery Month. It’s a month long observance. From what I’ve read, there is a week long observance for National Suicide Prevention Week from Sept 7-13. Then there is Youth Suicide Prevention which is on (or was) Sept 10th.
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Thanks so much for the info! Awesome!! 😍😍😍💜💜💜
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You’re welcome!😄
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💜💜💜
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😊😊😊
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I’ve nominated you for another award!
https://gettingthroughanxiety.wordpress.com/2015/09/19/a-nice-surprise/
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Omg! 😍😍😇😇💜💜
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Thanks for the follow–on my blog and Twitter. Thank you for advocacy and attitude. You have a fresh voice. I will follow your theatre work with great interest.
http://randomstoryteller.com/2014/05/19/beautiful-minds-anguished-minds/
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Thanks so much, Catherine! 😇😇😇 awesome! Look forward to following you as well!
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Rachel –
Thank you. Just plain thank you. You courage has inspired me so much. Last night I was feeling down and blogged about my depression for the first time. It felt good. I hope to maintain contact with you.
Hugs.
Julie
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Definitely, Julie! Soul sisters! Always! So glad it felt good to open up! I will def read that!
Some of the best people I know struggle with depression- it has nothing to do w character or strength! 🙂 xo
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Amazing post!
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Thanks so much!
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Yes all of this. I simply adore you
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Omg!! 🌏💙🌏💜
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💜 uuu!!!
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Reblogged this on Under the Guise of Glitter and commented:
Rachel hits the nail on the head when it omes to the stigma against the mentally ill. I have never read something more straight forward and honest.
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Thanks so much for the props! You’re the best! 💕
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Excellent post! Will definitely reblog it! XX keep up the good and awesome work! XX
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Means so much! Thanks!!!
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Reblogged this on Many of us's blog and commented:
This post, is just, awesome. I highly recommend it. Its time to end stigma and stand proud and tall, just because we have a mental illness does not mean we are monsters!
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Excellent!! 🙂
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Thanks SO much! ☺️
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Reblogged this on Suicide Awareness – I beat suicide.
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Your blogs are so refreshing to read! First of all kudos to you on your GPA, broadway etc.. that’s awesome! That’s sad to hear a friend told you she had a dream of you with an Axe, that would hurt me deeply too. I had the best encounter tonight with a young, 20 something yr old Pharmacist. I had a question for her about Pristiq which was ordered for me, because I’ve been suffering from low-grade anxiety/depression since last December. I think I told you a bit about it and the fact that it became full-blown this summer, and I tried to hide it because my daughter was getting married. After her wedding, my body went into “I need help” mode. Anyhow, she was so kind, informative & caring I felt like I was talking to a therapist. I told her that I’ve been on a waiting list for 9 months now, and mentioned that our brains should be taken just as seriously as any other body organ, after all- the brain controls all of our vital organs. She gave me some good advice I had not thought about and she cared! I left in tears, because someone who didn’t have to listen did, and it renewed my faith just a tiny bit in humanity. This was a great read, thanks for sharing. I’ve shared a few other posts of yours on my FB page, and others have shared your blog from my page. So, you are making a difference!
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Thank-you so much for sharing this positive, tender experience! It’s gives us hope. I’m so glad you were treated with the respect and kindness you deserve! Anxiety was/has been my main issue, but it’s gotten better and better w the years passed and right medication! Are you doing better w the medication? So happy to have connected w you!
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Likewise Rachel, I’m very glad we connected too! I haven’t tried the medication yet. I have had very bad experiences in the past with SSRI’s and SNRI’s, so the suggestion is to wait until my counseling appointment on Friday (yes, I found a counselor, yay!). He is certified in EMDR, and uses seek & find…I think that’s what he told me he begins with. And incorporates CBT with the EMDR. I’m scared to try the Pristiq. I was told many people with GAD are extremely sensitive to the above-mentioned category of meds, but I’m hoping, as is my Dr. this might be different. You have given me hope! I linked your blog site and your video blog to my latest blog. I also posted the blog on LinkedIn with a different title (targeting Employers). I’m amazed at some of the positive responses I received and the likes. It’s hard to get published posts noticed on LinkedIn and I wasnt sure how that one would be recieved.
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Thanks so much! So happy we have connected! A few non medication things that have helped me w anxiety are Byron Katie’s “the work” and her book “loving what is” and the book “feeling good” keep the faith and hope! Muah!!
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Great piece, So much I agree with and also so much to make me think differently too.
Thank you.
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Thanks so much, Katy! 💜💜💜
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I like this. I have PTSD, and other chronic pain illnesses, and I own a gun. I was a Range master in the Army and I can attest to the fact that PTSD is not totally disabling, and I don’t ‘flip-out’, I’m a combat vet and stable of mind. Thanks for following me. I will be returning in kind. I’m interested in more of your tales/stories, whatever.
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Thanks so much for serving the country! I look forward to following/reading your stuff as well!
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I’m not sure anybody could argue with these reasons. They’re all rock solid.
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Thanks so much!
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Another brilliant, well thought out piece. I shared this with my readers, too. You have a great blog & I’m looking forward to reading more.
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Means so much! ☺️☺️☺️
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Reblogged this on Darque Thoughts.
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Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
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Thanks tons for posting!
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YW. I write on some varied subjects and try to reach people.
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Hi Rachel I am curious as to whether you have fully casted for the show. I see it has been a work for a couple of months.
Paul
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It’s still in the development stage so working on writing and nog casting full show yet! 😆
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Oh ok that’s expected. I have seen shows and movies take a while to get going. Just keep taking a step at a time
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Thanks! Means so much! What I needed to hear today! 😅
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I am glad I was able to help 🙂
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