Mental Illness Awareness Week—How We Can Make a Difference Too

I openly admit I did not take the time to truly understand the full gamut of autism until my best friend's son was diagnosed with it. Only then did I take the time to learn, research, and keep pace with the need for early intervention, treatment options, and public policy on this issue. I only got onto the learning curve of autism when my best friend did. Prior to this, I knew autism existed--I did not have any judgment about it--but I still did not take the time to understand the growing concern over the last decade, nor get involved in advocacy for this issue. I did nothing to promote educational awareness until it touched my life. I use this as an example as even I who wants others to understand the toll of mental illness did not take the time to understand the toll of autism when I knew others (acquaintances) were dealing with it.

The bottom line here is that because we know how mental illness impacts individuals as well as society, we are the ones to spread the word and improve the quality of conditions. We have the most at stake, and we have the opportunity now more than ever to continue the work: our way has been paved by organizations such as NAMI.

Considering that one in four Americans is touched by mental illness, this would logically translate to more people being desirous to understand it fully. This is not the case. My opinion is that a lot of people fear mental illness, and take their perceptions about it from the media and mold it for their own. How mental illness is often portrayed on the TV is none too flattering. It is usually the "extremes" of mental illness that are portrayed, rather than those living healthy and productive lives or showing commitment to wellness. I am not blaming the media here, I am just saying that more people watch TV than look up mental illness in the library or Internet just because they desire to know more if they themselves are not affected.

And this is where we who experience mental illness can make a differnece by sharing openly and candidly. Not everyone I meet knows that I have mental illness, but when I share it with them, they are surprised and they tell me, "I would have never known." This is where I can see that I can make a difference in changing the face of "what mental illness looks like."

On the flip side, these same people have since seen me in a full-blown PTSD state. They can see the difference in my behavior, mood, startle response and functionality levels. And the opportunity arises for me again to share the face of "what mental illness looks like." My openness is a beginning of understanding. When they see me returning back on the road of recovery, they then understand the face of "what commitment to wellness with mental illness looks like."

What I would like to see occur is the attitude toward mental illness turned on its ear. I would like to hear the same "ohhhh" of compassion that is heard when one shares the diagnosis of cancer. No judgment, no stigma, just compassion and a desire to be supportive. Each ailment is daunting, and requires commitment to wellness. When I tell others about my experience with ovarian cancer, I get the "ohhhh" response. When I tell others about my experience with PTSD, I will often get a confused and frightened look. I have seen and experienced the difference. And the difference in awareness matters. And it is this difference in attitude that will promote the desire to understand and be supportive to learn more about the seriousness of mental illness.