60 Sec Confidence Building – Stigma and Depression
People say they have an appointment with the doctor, dentist or any other health profession but they would never say they have an appointment with the psychiatrist. Fear of stigma and sometimes self-stigma prevent us from acknowledging a mental health problem in the same manner that we acknowledge health challenges of a physical nature.
There is no stigma in cancer for instance. Mention you have cancer and you will draw sympathy. Mention you suffer from schizophrenia, and people will run away from you and get other people to avoid you. The avoidance urge is even more than for people with contagious diseases sometimes.
Great men and women have suffered from clinical depression and other mental health challenges. Prophet Elijah suffered from depression. Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill suffered from mental illness, yet they led their respective countries in fighting difficult wars that defined their survival and won.
Depression is a challenge that affects the spirit of man. What we experience and sustainably do not remove the effects of, becomes a part of us. A seed sown in our spirit only bears the fruit of its nature.
Guarding our spirit becomes vital when faced with depressing situations. Not focusing our thoughts on the situation but on the things that have gone well helps us formulate solutions to challenges that are there to strengthen our faith. If our focus is on activity that is yielding results we maintain our joy and the challenge we have not dealt with seems insignificant.
Stigma is about us accepting what others and situations say about our nature and capabilities. Man can and does grow in ability. Anything we accept we do not change. Being overly concerned about a challenge lets it define us. We win when we determine who we are called and the outcome of the circumstances we meet. Giving in to stigma is accepting it – letting it define us and our behaviour. We no longer seek dominion over our life’s affairs; something we were all created to achieve.
Think of it. There is more than enough resources on this earth to sustain every individual comfortably through life. Fear of loss holds us captive. Loss of esteem, loss of resources, loss of life etc.
I know who I am. I am the one that defines my destiny. I never fail. If the victory is not yet there, the matter is yet to be concluded. I am a creature of love. I love myself in the same manner I love others.
What do you say in response to your challenges? Your words create and determine your future.
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