“Are you okay?" This simple question can be a lifeline to someone who is suffering with a mental illness.
Hello, my name is Lorna Lamon, and welcome to my blog. I am a counsellor and writer with a particular interest in Mental Health and Wellbeing. I should point out that I am new to the blogging world and am excited at being part of a community where I can contribute to Mental Health awareness.
As a counsellor I have seen firsthand the many facets to mental health. I often describe it as “walking a path in your mind, trying to negotiate the minefield it has become”.
In order to help negotiate this minefield, I will be drawing on my own experience of a mental illness and also using my skills as a counsellor in this field. My weekly blog will contain information on Mental Health, Wellbeing and I will also include a “Poetry Corner” where you can view my own poems and feel free to submit your own to be published here on A Mindful Reminder. At the end of each blog I will offer up my challenge to the world of bloggers, and look forward to your replies.
To get the ball rolling, today I am going to shine the spotlight on what I see as a very real obstacle to mental health issues being taken seriously – stigma. This quote which I have written below clearly outlines the helplessness of those people who are not believed or not taken seriously regarding their mental health problems. As stark as it is, I wanted to draw attention to what I perceive is a real stumbling block on a person beginning their road to recovery.
Should I turn my mind inside out To reveal the turmoil within Would this act of desperation Eradicate your doubt?
Why in 2018 are mental symptoms still viewed as threatening and uncomfortable? These are the attitudes which foster stigma, and all too often that brave soul who takes the first step and admits to having a mental illness, can often find themselves excluded or discriminated against within social circles or the workplace. Ask yourself why. There are factors which cause mental health stigma – let’s explore them.
Within history itself we can find some answers
The fact that throughout history people with mental illness have been treated differently; I personally believe that this could be because of the notion that “if you cannot see it, it does not exist." Therefore, ignorance has resulted in the exclusion and even brutalisation of mentally ill people through the ages. Add to this ignorance the element of fear in the belief that all mentally ill people are dangerous and stigma is born.
Deeply entrenched views
Today we live in a much more enlightened world – or do we? It is very frustrating to note that within the health service today these negative views regarding patients presenting with mental illness still exist. “How can you help me if you do not believe me?" echoes time and time again.
Media presentation
We are all influenced by what we see and hear on the media platform today. Even though there are various adverts and programs drawing attention to the plight of the mentally ill, is it enough? Providing information regardless of the platform used is always beneficial, however positive interaction between those who do and those who don't have a mental illness needs to become the norm in society. Let us all be proactive in getting the word out there. Yes stigma does exist, however it can and will become a thing of the past.
My challenge to you: do one thing to help eradicate the mental health stigma, and post to my blog.
Comments