Valerie Dalton
Let’s End Discrimination Against the Mentally Ill
By
May 21, 2008 - 2:49:57 PM

I think I’ve been watching too much TV lately.  As I watched the evening news last night and listened to stories about the race for president, it got me thinking.  We’ve come a long way in fighting discrimination in this country when the Democratic Party will nominate either a woman, Hillary Clinton, or an African-American, Barack Obama, for president. The Republican Party has chosen John McCain, age 71, as their candidate.  It certainly seems that we’ve come a long way in ending discrimination based on gender, race, and age when our next president will be either a woman, an African- American, or a senior citizen.
 
When I changed the channel, highlights from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure were being shown.  Breast cancer survivors were shown banding together in record numbers to raise funds to fight this deadly disease.  Family members and friends were shown offering support by wearing ribbons, pledging support for the fundraiser, and running to help find a cure. I couldn’t help but think about how far we’ve come in the battle to end discrimination and stigmatization around this illness. By openly discussing this disease, educating others, and encouraging survivors to tell their stories, positive changes have resulted; women’s lives have been saved and families are being helped. 

Next I listened to a commercial about male erectile dysfunction and thought to myself, “If Bob Dole and others can talk about a serious medical condition like male erectile dysfunction during dinner, why aren’t we, as a country, more uncomfortable talking about brain disorders during the dinner hour?”  I hope you see where I’m going with this.

We’ve made some very positive progress with ending discrimination and stigmatization in this country, yet I feel that much more must be done if we’re going to end the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental illness.  According to the United States Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Agency’s website, “fear of stigma, and the resulting discrimination, discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need.  The consequences of stigma are often devastating — in some cases, worse than the illness itself. Some of the harmful effects of stigma include: trying to pretend nothing is wrong, refusal to seek treatment, rejection by family and friends, work problems or discrimination, difficulty finding housing, being subjected to physical violence or harassment, and inadequate health insurance coverage for their illness.”

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing several stories about individuals who are working to end the stigma that surrounds brain disorders and mental illnesses.  I hope you’ll find their stories educational and inspirational.  I hope you’ll join their fight.  Here are a few suggestions of things you can do to help:

Learn about mental illnesses and brain disorders.  Knowledge is power.  It can lessen the fear you feel and give you courage to take needed action.  Share your knowledge with others; educate your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

If you or a family member is ill, seek treatment.  Learn about medications, treatment options, and recovery.  Find out about support groups in your area.  Many groups are available to support both the individual dealing with an illness and their family.

When you see instances of stigma in the media or elsewhere, complain to those in charge.  Let your voices be heard.

Participate in an advocacy group.  Working to make our world a more humane and fair place for those faced with the challenges of brain disorders helps to not only empower you, but to make our planet a much better place. 

Join the fight to end stigma; together we can make a difference.

This column is for informational purposes only.  Clinical issues should be directed to a licensed clinician or your physician.  Valerie Dalton, M.Ed. is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice serving adolescents and adults.  For more information about her counseling and consulting services, please call 743-7736 or visit www.valeriedaltonlpc.com.

© Copyright by Village Publishing LLC