The Stigma of Mental Illness

The Stigma of Mental Illness

By Cathryn Murray

According to a recent statistics, one out of four people will be diagnosed with a mental illness. Dealing with a mental illness is one of the toughest things that an individual will face. I know this, because in 2009, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1.

                On my road to recovery, I have encountered many people that have misconceptions about mental illnesses. The lives of people with mental health conditions are often plagued by stigma, as well as discrimination. Stigma is a very negative stereotype. Stigma is a reality for many people with a mental illness, and they report how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to a complete and satisfying life. There is so much that needs to be done in eliminating stigma in mental illness. It is so important that we continue to share our stories and bring a positive light to mental illness.

                Often the media showcases mental illnesses in a bad light. We have to remember that not everyone with a mental illness will become violent. There are millions of people living with mental illnesses, and when we hear about one person that has done something wrong, we need to remember that not everyone is like that one person. Many people living with mental illnesses are living positive and productive lives. I believe that therapy, the support from friends, family and medication play a huge role in the recovery process. We must continue to educate others on mental illnesses. It does not help when comedians or well-known performers, like Miley Cyrus, joke or make horrible statements about people dealing with mental illnesses. This happened recently, and my only concern is that people who listen to them will start to believe that it is acceptable to make jokes or call people rude names. It is not. It is never okay for others to put people down because of mental illnesses.

                The truth is that people with mental illnesses are not crazy or psychotic. People with Bipolar are smart, talented and creative. In my recovery process, I have met many people that are doing amazing things with their lives, and trying to live normal and successful lives. It takes strength and courage to speak out on mental illness. I applaud those individuals that have come out and said, “Hey, I have a mental illness and I am not letting it stop me.” Demi Lovato, an American pop singer, is a wonderful role model for us that are living with mental illness. She recently talked about battling mental and substance abuse issues. She speaks out and posts often on her social media accounts about facing mental illness issues. I think the media needs to concentrate on showcasing positive examples of people overcoming mental illnesses, but sadly, this does not increase ratings, sells magazines or newspapers. Recently, on the cover of the tabloid magazine The Sun, it read: 1,200 killed by mental patients. These headlines and stories are incorrect and misleading information, but what can be done to erase the stigma that comes along with living with a mental illness? I think more education in our schools is a great place to start. We need to break away from using words like, "crazy" or "psycho" to define someone. We need to actively help individuals with mental illness find jobs and places to live. More importantly, we must always remember to show compassion and be a friend. So I am asking you. Can you be a friend with someone who has a mental illiness?

                For more information on mental health issues contact www.nami.org. Nami is a wonderful organization that can and will connect you to resources in your own community and nation.

Moving

I am so excited about moving out of a residential care home. I have lived in a board and care home for  about 3 years. I have dealt with a lot of things, but this place has really helped me become the person I am today. Sharing a room with a person is so difficult. I can't wait for the day when I can walk into my own room and actually get a good nights rest. I have met some amazing people in this home, but it is time to move on. I know God will put me in the right place at his time. I just need to have faith and patience. I was reading my client book the other day and amazed at my progress. I used to keep to myself a lot. Even though I am shy, it is easier now to talk with people. I think being diagnosed with Bipolar has helped me a lot. I now know my limitations and know what I am capable of doing. I am back in school, and so proud that I am actually completing things. I know that in time I will graduate, but I just need to not stress. I stress way too much. I worry about everything and I need to realize that this is not healthy.

My life is not easy, but it is pretty awesome too. I have a great support system in place and I will never not take my medicines. I think I know how hard it is to start over, and I don't want to ever do that again. I have a lot going for in my life and I want to enjoy life. I want to also focus on improving and working on bettering my life. I know that God has huge plans for me. I just need to trust in him more.  It is funny the girl that did not like to take medicines, is actually telling others how important medications are. A good friend stopped taking his meds recently. I thought something was wrong and I told him my concerns. He started taking his meds again.

I am back into photography. I think photography has helped me with my creative side. As soon as I move I plan to take more photos. I love photography because it is good for the soul. I also started writing. I hope to continue writing and expressing myself this way. It is so much easier to express myself through blogs and other avenues.

Again, I am just incredibly blessed and fortunate to have a great team that has helped me become the person I am today. I know my future is going to be awesome. It took having a break down and being diagnosed to realize how precious life is. I will succeed in life, because I have been given a second chance in life. Thank you GOD for never leaving me.

Blessed ;)

How I was diagnosed with Bipolar PART II?

After I was hospitalized I went back to my Apartment. My apartment was a mess, because I was sorting things in my life. I also got evicted at my apartment, but the wierd thing is I was giving money orders to the manager. When I moved I found the receipts and my bank also had a track record of things that I purchased. I was told I owed close to $2000 dollars, but that did not seem right. I was working and modeling, but modeling was not for me. I wanted to return to school and to better myself. I had lost my job at this time and my father wanted me to go to Oregon. I was not ready for that and when he came back, I left. I went to Santa Barbara. I needed to get away and I thought I would be safe there. I got my things and headed to the bus stop. I did stop in Oakland to get some hair. I left Oakland that evening and head to Santa Barbara. I chose that town because it was clean and safe. I arrived in the morning and I waited patiently for Social Security and the mail box place to open. I thought I would move to Santa Barbara. I purchased a mailbox and spent the day in Santa Barbara. The homeless were kind. I remember one homeless guy gave me crackers and told me what restaurants gave free food out. I spent the night on the street. I was scared to go to sleep, but I did feel like the world was ending. Santa Barbara is insane at night. Lots of traffic and people were rushing to go to places. I stayed awake all night. I remember going to a Baptist church and being turned away, because they could not help me. I went to all the services and really got nowhere. I decided to return to Oakland, where I was sent to the John George Hospital. That hospital scared me. I was told I was going back to Herik in Berkeley, where I actually was put on medicines. I liked Herik. I felt safe and the people were pretty decent. It was there that I found out about Concord Mental Health. I stayed with a friend in Concord and put all my things in storage and later found an apartment in Concord. I don't think I was in great shape as I am today. I think I have to thank my psychiatrist and psychologist Ziba for getting me where I am today. It took a lot of strength for me to get my life back on track. I am working on getting back the things I lost, but for now I am happy just to be at this place in my life. I am indeed blessed.

How I was diagnosed with Bipolar?

 

How I was diagnosed with Bipolar? I simply went to a few churches that did not work for me. Went to a church that was more conservative and then went to a Unitarian unversalist church. That church is not for me. It seemed cool at first, until I woke up and realized the truth. I believe in Jesus. I also was reading several books by Walter Martin. He talks a lot about cults in religions. I believe in Cults, because there are many ways that just don't connect to GOD. The bible warns of false teachers. We are to be aware of savage wolves that enter our churches and take away people. There is probably a better way to write this, but I am only writing things in my own words. I did not hear voices, but I felt like God was trying to warn me of things. I kept writing letters and really scared of things that I thought was hurting me. One morning before I was hospitalized I ran to a nearby church and screamed it is a cult. I felt something was driving me to... do this. I ran to the police department and banged on the door. I realized the door was not open and I had to walk to the front door. I entered the Police Department and I was saying things like it is a cult and the church around the corner is a cult. I remember the police coming out and then I was sent to a hospital. I did leave that hospital, but things kept happening. I was sent to a hospital in Martinez and I walked out of the place. I was barefoot and needed clothes. I walked down Alhambra Avenue in Martinez, until I found a laundry mat. Finding some clothes I realized I needed a ride back to Concord. I remember meeting a kind lady at Safeway and she gave me a ride back to Concord. I think I told her a story that my boyfriend left me. It worked, but I still felt something strange happening to me. I ended up walking down Monument Blvd and I realized that the safest place was Park regency in Walnut Creek. I used to live there and I thought I could walk there. I felt like something was telling me things. I knew I had to strip down and pull off my hair, because I thought I was being reborn. I was not harming myself, but I felt like something was happening to me. I felt like if I did this I was going to be reborn Actually I felt like I was becoming like Jesus. I was hospitalized after that incident and sent to Berkeley. My life changed right after that. I was now in the Mental Health world.