It is true. Mental health can be a really touchy subject. And across multiple spectrums…
1.) It’s a touchy subject for patients, who often feel shame at being “different” or “inadequate” in some way.
2.) It’s a touchy subject for their families, who often, whether they admit to it or not, can feel burdened by their ill family member, embarassed by public outbursts or by their family member’s refusal to participate in society for a given time while suffering through their illness and feeling their own shame, and who have to learn, sometimes delicately, how to support and help them.
3.) It’s a touchy subject for their friends, who may see their “sick” friends go through hard times and even lash out at them. They want to be there and want to care, but a rule of friendship is that the best friendships go two ways and include give-and-take. Often, this balance is interrupted.
4.) It’s a touchy subject for doctors, who have to answer questions about the right treatment, who have to perform treatments which they are qualified to perform, who have to be careful about ethical issues and may at times have to stick to an “ethical” or “approved” treatment when perhaps a more experimental or less-medically-formal form of treatment might be better.
5.) It’s a touchy subject for society, which must distinguish between people who simply suffer from a mental illness and those who are mentally ill who commit sometimes violent and sadistic acts. It’s one thing to SAY that just because some people with mental illness commit horrible acts (rape, murder, kidnapping, theft, etc.) doesn’t mean ALL do. It’s another thing to differentiate between me and, say, a Bipolar man who, under a state of psychosis (sometimes even caused by the very medicines meant to make him “healthy”) rapes or kills someone. “Well, he was Bipolar and he did it, who’s to say you’re not capable of the same thing?” Believe me. I’ve heard it before. And it hurts.

What’s often forgotten is that we are real human beings, real people. We have real feelings and real emotions. We are just as capable and deserving of care, respect, friendship, intimacy, love, and happiness as anyone else. Often, though, we are made to feel that we are not. Not everyone has the same level of support as I’ve had. Not everyone has the same access to resources that I’ve had. Not everyone has parents who will help them find the right doctor, the right treatment. Not everyone has friends who say “hang in there, we’re here for you.” Not everyone has even one special someone who says to them “I know you. I know you’re more than this illness. I know you’re someone wonderful.” Sometimes it only takes one person saying that to make a difference.

I realized last summer that I had been living under the label of “Bipolar” for 10 years. I wonder sometimes how my life would have been different in those 10 years if I had never experienced a symptom, never been diagnosed, never lived through some of the horrors I lived through.

At the same time, I’m greatful for the perspective it gave me on life and on people. And I’m greatful for the people in my life who support me…my friends, my family, and a special wonderchihuahua, her poodle friend, and their mama. Ha ha! As silly as that sounds, though, it’s proof that sometimes a connection and a bond can help to heal the wounds and ease the scars that mental illness and the stigma around it can leave.

I believe more avenues of advocacy and support are needed. Jessica, I would appreciate it if you could pass along my information to Savannah Nicole L. who you mentioned in the article. I’d like to talk to her about what she does and bounce some ideas back and forth. I think what she’s doing is wonderful.

And lastly, to Jessica: Thank you for always being a friend and thank you for having the strength and courage to talk about this matter, and most importantly, about your own struggles. You are stronger than you know and you are a perfect example of how one should pursue their dreams and goals regardless of the obstacles.

If anyone would like to talk with me on this subject, I’ve linked my name to my MySpace site. You can reach me there.

-Eric

Tara - First off, thank you for your comment. Secondly, I’m very glad this piece was of help to you. And I really do hope you check out House. I tend to blog about the show on here, a lot - it’s great. < 3

Watching - Thank you for your comment. I hope this topic becomes more approachable for everyone. I do think the U.S., at least, is becoming more accepting, in places. I don’t know about other countries.

Thanks so much for writing.

Thanks again, and best of luck to you in the future.