So many people still don’t have a clue or any concept of certain mental illnesses and their symptoms. They think people with depression can just ’snap out of it’ and people with Schizophrenia have multiple personalities… how wrong could they be. Let’s not blame them though, with TV and things like the internet incorrectly potraying false images of mental illness, illustrating them as dangerous rather than completely distressing and upsetting, how can the general public be expected to have any other opinion?
So, let’s start today and make a positive contribution to stamp out stigma. We can all do that together, and just to aid you in the how to’s we’ve provided some pointers to get you started; no excuses people!
- If you suffer from a ‘mental illness’ speak out about it. Become open, you have nothing to be ashamed of so discuss it with close friends and family. If you feel really brave then mention it to co-workers and others. You’ll probably start to notice the same thing as us, the more you talk about it the more you find out just how many people feel the same as you do or similar.
- Educate others. Question what people think about certain mental illnesses and let them know the truth.
- Get involved with a voluntary organisation and work with them and their resources to help people getting a better understanding and help combat myths.
- Use social media channels like Twitter and Facebook to shout out about stigma, let’s build a comunity and spread the work – add us on Twitter/keepsmiln
- Speak directly to us via keepsmilinorg@gmail.com and list your testimonial on our blog so other people can relate and share experiences. If you contact us we will give you access to write about how you feel, completely anonymous or open dependant on what you want.
Let’s get started…..