Disable the Label

   

Imagine visiting a mental health facility and before sitting down to observe a group therapy session, a patient mistakes you for a visual hallucination. What would you do first?
a. Run away and cry
b. Sit down awkwardly and observe as nothing happened
c. Freeze in silence
d. Realize this is a lesson in this moment and try to gain understanding about the client's situation

This actually happened to me, and to be honest I froze at first. But later, I understand that my fear was only because of misunderstanding about mental illness. I had a conversation with the client to gain understanding and learned so much more than a textbook could ever teach,

What do you comes to mind when you hear the term, mental illness?
 or  

What is mental illness?  As defined by Mayo Clinic, mental illness, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions —disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. More specifically, it is when one becomes fixed in a maladaptive state and can no longer function regularly in each aspect of their life.

Have you heard of these mental health disorders?    

• Personality disorders:
• Cluster A: Paranoid, Schzoid, Schizotypal
• Cluster B: Antisocial, Borderline Personality disorder, Histrionic and Narcissistic
• Cluster C: Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Anxiety disorders: PTSD, Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
• Mood Disorders: Depression, Bipolar Disorder (mania and depression episodes), Seasonal Affective Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder
• Eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating
• Substance abuse related disorders

No one likes to be judged. So the next time, you encounter someone with a mental illness or see the topic in the media, choose find compassion in your heart. individuals with mental disorders are often shunned in society due to lack of understanding of their illness; to combat this, you must educate yourself. 

With mental health education, you understand:

1) Mental health disorders are generally inherited or have an unknown cause.  It is best to not label those suffering with mental health disorders. Rarely, mental health disorders are caused by stress alone. 

2) Most people suffering with these disorders understand that their condition is not normal and want resolution. 

3) 1 out of 5 people suffer with mental health disorders. So chances are you or someone you know suffers with at least one mental health disorder, so isn't worth it to educate your self on the topic?

4) Mental disorders is a serious problems and those suffering with one should never be reduced because of such. Educate yourself on the matter and try to reduce the stigma behind mental health disorders.

5) We do not laugh at those with medical diagnosis, so why it is that those with mental health disorders are found at the butt of a lot of jokes?

6) Try to change your vocabulary, using words like crazy or psycho to describe how someone is acting, is hurtful rather than constructive.

       

                                       
  

Here is a list of online resources to find out more about mental health disorders:

• https://www.nami.org/ 
• http://triadmentalhealth.org/the-five-5-major-categories-of-mental-illness/ 

Be blessed!

- Kiara P.