One Sure Way to Defeat Stigma
Don't you love Lucy's attitude? She is just herself, always herself, no apologies. Oh that we could all take her cue.
Stigma and mental health. We all know what that means. Many people think that there is a stigma to being 'mentally ill' which is why they often choose to keep it a secret.
Not Lucy! It is what it is. 'Not my problem, but hey world, if you have a problem with it, you had better just get out of my way!'
Stigma is a nasty word. Here is a list of synonyms: stain, blemish, scar, disfigurement, disgrace, dishonour, reproach..... wow, all bad stuff right?
Here is a the actual definition of stigma: "a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something".
This is nothing new to you or me. Since the beginning of time, mental illness has hovered under a black cloud of judgement and fear.
But there is something YOU can do about it! Yes YOU!
But first let me tell you about the person who taught me how to fight stigma - my friend and sister-in-law Melda. She began her journey with depression long before me and I watched her with admiration, little knowing that my turn was coming.
What did she do? She told people that she had depression.
She was and still is totally open about it. She did not allow herself to carry the mantle of shame that society might have put on her.
Melda has a wonderful blog where she writes all sorts of funny stories and anecdotes about growing up in Nova Scotia. But she also shares now and then a story about her own experience with mental illness. If you look under her 'mental health' category you will find some relevant stories there. Don't miss her 'Stigmafreezone' post.
Do people keep their arthritis a secret? What about their diabetes? or cancer? Are they ashamed of their illnesses? Absolutely not! They believe they have nothing to be ashamed of.
You know and I know that mental illness is just that, an illness and nothing to be ashamed about. The more open we are willing to be the more we can defeat and dispel the lies and stigma surrounding it.
Let's all take a lesson from Melda. Read her 'Stigmafreezone' post and be inspired!
If I wasn't open about my own mental illness (and believe me the word 'bipolar' has some pretty powerful stigma with it) I wouldn't get as many opportunities I get to help others. Most often that help is simply just offering understanding listening ears. Helping others brings meaning and purpose to this unwelcome illness and makes me feel that ...... well, that maybe it isn't all a waste.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? How are you feeling today? Have you experienced stigma? Are you reluctant to tell people you have a mental disorder?
Don't give up! There is hope for depression.
