An open letter about mental illness and social stigma.
I am sitting near the window watching the world go by, occasionally glaring at my laptop as I try to type this letter. It's not unusual these days for me to watch the world pass me by, you see I am not very well. I don't have the flu or a stomach bug, I don't have a broken leg or diabetes. I do however live with a serious illness, debilitating at times when I relapse, I live with mental illness.
Before I go any further I want to make it perfectly clear I am not writing this letter for attention, as many people would like to tell you I am attention seeking, this is not true. I know my feeling unwell is just a dent in the road, a mountain I need to climb and I am determined to reach the top. I know what I need to do to feel better. I am writing this letter to educate and raise awareness because even in this day and age there are many people who are not empathetic towards situations that they do not understand. I am not shaming those who do not understand mental illness, if they do not understand it's ok. It's not ok though not ok at all to ridicule, judge, stigmatise, discriminate, or reject someone based on lack of knowledge and empathy.
I see a lot of people still like to indulge in certain media outlets vilifying or demonising people who have a mental health illness, without any real understanding. Please stop doing this as these false representations can cause some people to fear those of us who are unwell as one can believe we are dangerous and violent, which is not true. We are more likely to harm ourselves and we are over ten times more likely to be a victim of violent crime and abuse than the general population.
Many people still think it is a sign of weakness to suffer with mental illness, this is wrong. We are not weak because we are unwell. We are strong and fight to do things most people take for granted. If everybody worked as hard as those who have a mental illness do to become the best they can be, the world would be a better place I can tell you.
If you are unwell reach out to mental health services I hear you say. Yes you are right mental health support is vital to our wellbeing but it isn't just a case of people not reaching out for help, true there are some people who fear talking about their mental health illness for fear of being stigmatised, judged or even ridiculed which is understandable, right? However, many do seek support from the relevant people and have to knock on many doors to be heard, but you see mental health services are terribly underfunded and understaffed it isn't always easy to receive the help we so desperately need when struggling. It's not unusual to have to wait for months and months and knock on many doors before we are seen. This is one reason why support from those who are close to us is so important. You could be a lifeline without even realising it.
People who have a mental illness never get better I have heard, do you believe it? While it is true that unfortunately people who have lifelong mental illness can not be cured, this doesn't mean they will never get better. With the right education, knowledge, treatment and care it is possible to feel better and be able to step into recovery and lead a happy, productive life.
So as you can see all is not lost. Educate yourself and your loved one's about mental wellbeing, mental illness and recovery, turn your ignorance into knowledge, talk more openly about your feelings. If your family member, friend, neighbour or colleague is not very well, struggling or going through tough times check on them, show some kindness. If they appear to be fine still check on them as you never know what battles people are fighting. Even if someone has it good cheer them on as the world needs more cheerleaders.
Yes society, yes you!! Lets be the change we wish to see.
Thank you for you time.
Best wishes,
Cassie.
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