The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services has something to tell us about the importance and effectiveness of self disclosure:
- "Research on addressing discrimination and stigma has shown that individuals' attitudes improve when they have direct contact with persons with mental illnesses, when they can get to know people beyond labels and myths."
- "Patrick Corrigan, Psy.D., a researcher on this topic, states that "contact between the public and people who have mental illnesses produces the greatest results with regard to positive change. Hence the more interaction between people with mental illnesses and the public, the more stigma will be torn down."
- "Research shows that the greatest effects occur when the average person comes out. Although there is some benefit when people with notoriety tell their stories of recovery from mental illness, public attitudes are most challenged when neighbors, coworkers, and fellow churchgoers admit that they, too, have struggled with and beaten mental illness stigma (Spikol, 2003)."
This research feels empowering to me! The people who will have the greatest impact upon public awareness of mental health issues are folk like you and me. You don't have to be a celebrity to make a difference. One of the greatest values of this site is that it gives those of us who suffer from mental illness an opportunity to educate and inform the public about what it is truly like to suffer from depression. We need to let people see the flesh and blood human beings behind the cold statistics of mental illness.
Maybe you have never shared about your depression with anyone before. It is difficult to disclose such a thing. We are striving to make this site a place where it is safe for you to do so. You can choose to be anonymous if you want. But the more people share their personal stories the more we can help each other as well as de-stigmatize the labels of mental illness. Under the "Connect" button on the main page as well as your personal home page of My Depression Connection you will find a drop down menu. Push the one that says, "Create a SharePost" and this is how you can tell your story here.
In addition to My Depression Connection Health Central also has other mental health sites including:
Let's put a human face onto depression and other types of mental illness. Tell us what it is like to suffer from depression. Share your coping strategies. Inform friends and family how they can best help their loved ones who have a mental illness. Reach out and give support to others who are feeling like they are losing the battle to their depression or mental illness. Being aware is simply scratching the surface of what needs to be done. True change takes action and it can begin right now with you. Share your story. We want to hear it!
