Jun 3, 2015 Since there's been so many debates about homosexuality lately, I was wondering what people think of mental illness, and whether people think there is also a lot of prejudice and ignorance towards mentally ill people? I feel there's possibly even more and society is even further behind on this in comparison to accepting gays. My mother has Bipolar 1 so I know about this pretty well. Also wondering if @Narsh s and @WPG s liberal views extend to this subject also. Should all mentally ill people be executed? Discuss.
Jun 3, 2015 dunno how to interpret this except as shade but yes obviously people with mental illnesses don't benefit from the outreach or support they deserve
Jun 3, 2015 Nah, no shade. Just genuinely curious if you find this as important as gay rights as you're so vocal about them (which is obviously pretty common now). Nobody cares about the mentally ill though. They're just loons and not relatable as human beings. It's not only that they don't get the support they deserve... the amount of apathy towards them is ridiculous.... which is a lot to do with the lack of support they receive of course. Just seems like nobody makes any effort of being understanding of them.
Jun 3, 2015 if you look at the board, most people who are vocally pro-gay rights on here are doing it reactively. i'd be just as staunch a supporter of mental health causes if kids were running around opposing it the way they trash gay people.
Jun 3, 2015 Mental Health is a serious and valid issue - it should be treated as such imo, it's no joke.
Jun 3, 2015 As someone who deals with mental illness (PDD), I wish there wasn't a stigma around it as I have a hard time being open about it.
Jun 3, 2015 It gets to me when people joke about mental illnesses or when they don't take it seriously.
Jun 3, 2015 d---, I haven't been diagnosed with anything like that, but I've supposedly got s--- ranging from bipolar to adhd to turrets to chronic depression and some kind of anxiety disorder...
Jun 3, 2015 Mental illness should be taken very seriously, saw some s--- today that made me sick. At age 15 this kid bashed his mother's head with a sledgerhammer over a dozen times. Meanwhile he was diagnosed as having depressive disorder with psychosis when he was 11. medical records from that time show he reported hearing voices. however, his mother discontinued his treatment.
Jun 3, 2015 you can tell by the way he speaks and the way he moves that he has some issues going on... awful story
Jun 3, 2015 There is plenty of negative social stigma towards mental illness. It's even greater in certain communities. It's not well understood which makes it hard for many people to have a good support system or get treated. And sometimes they may face prejudice. People don't really get much mental health awareness education though. It's unfortunate. I had depression for a while and am better now but it was really hard for some people in my life to understand so it really strained our relationships. My parents didn't understand either. To many people, things like depression don't really exist or you're just trying to get attention, being lazy, Etc.
Jun 3, 2015 Peoples dissonance when it comes to dealing with depressed family members, friends, whatever, is usually (at least on some level) from the inability to help on their part. Or lack of initiative they can take that doesn't surmount to basically sitting on their hands while you find your way (decide if you therapy, meds, time..). Because in the end, even if they try to help by making you see someone, take medications, or even force you to talk to them, it could just exacerbate the situation -- you have to come to your own decisions. And the best way for anyone to help you get to the right ones is by being understanding, and that's all. Not too distant, not too overbearing, just understanding. Which is hard when you're your own person with your own issues having to be around someone else's deeply personal plight
Jun 3, 2015 Yes, it's incredibly hard for friends and family of those with mental illness. I feel it myself when I have to be there for others. But a lot of people don't have that understanding, sadly. As you say, because it's hard. And so some end up causing more harm. But I feel like they wouldn't if they just opened up their minds more. And I think if a lot of people understood mental illness better, having better understanding wouldn't be as hard on an individual level. I didn't need anyone to baby me, since my help would mostly come from meds and counseling. But I would've appreciated some support. And also not getting in the way of me getting help and no hurtful words. I understand people's difficulties with it but I'd rather not excuse treating those with mental illness poorly and just raise awareness.
