1 In 4 – Do We REALLY Not Know Anyone With Mental Illness?
Sometimes I am marveled at how we react to mental health issues or even the mere mention of it. Is it because sometimes we do not know anyone personally with mental illness?
For me, I have met several people in my short time on this earth who have been affected with mental illness. Long before I even met Chuck.
A close relative, or two… in fact three, thinking of it. A friend, friends’ parent, a housemate at uni, colleagues at work…my list seems endless. Interestingly, these were everyday people in my sphere of contact. Then there were those I heard of. Friends of friends, relatives of relatives and so on.
All these people were never far off strangers like the unkempt one pushing their life’s ‘treasures’ on a shopping trolley. They were not people that I only saw on our TV screens or the killers in psychological thrillers. They were people I could place or locate.
I am not throwing an accusatory or defensive tone which some think to think is common with Mental Health advocates. I am not having a go at anyone so please read on…
Just creating a little awareness here, OK?
So if we are still reading this, how is it that we express surprise, shocked silence, disdain, disgust and so on when the ‘M’ word is mentioned? How is that we say we don’t know anyone that has been challenged with mental illness? Is it that it never occurred to us that yes, cousin Jim, probably has issues? Or grandma Jane is a little more than eccentric? Or do we just turn a blind eye? Or we think these things do not happen to people from ‘good’, balanced families?
With statistics of 1 in 4 in UK, 1 in 4 in USA, we ALL know someone challenged with mental illness. Look around you now. If you are in a room of 40 people, statistics says 10 of those people are. Now, I am not saying start looking at everyone suspiciously. Please.
However, there are potentially, 10 people in your room of 40 people, that could be possibly challenged with mental illness. Some may have been diagnosed, some not. And of those diagnosed, they may never ever tell you. It could be a high powered executive. I met someone who is a top executive that had at the time what possibly looked like fresh cutting scars!
So, where am I going? I am saying we must be more aware of the people around you. That right in our world there are people affected with mental illness.
If you are a boss, be aware.
If you are a pastor, be very aware. There are definitely without a shadow of doubt, people in your church congregation with mental issues.
In your family or friend circles, there may be someone popping pills.
If you are a teacher, look out for kids whom you suspect may have mental issues, rather than writing that kid of as a difficult child with not much of a future. Look out for the one that seems popular too…
We all have a role to play. It is Mental Illness Awareness Week. We can all do something. Play a part. Because mental illness is real.
Lets be aware!
What part are you playing or do you intend to play with mental health awareness?
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