“It’s all in your head,” “Oh, just cheer up,” and “It seems like you’re just obsessed with your illness,” are some of the most hurtful and equally as ignorant statements that are projected upon those with mental illnesses. Stigmas of being dangerous, constantly suicidal, or overly dramatic are cast about in nearly every environment and not just in the adult community, either. Students are teased beyond general reason for their parents going through divorces or for being a little slower than the rest and therefore being taken out of class. Students are often bullied for being affected by any sort of disorder, though statistically those suffering with a mental disorder are far more likely to be bullied to the point of self-harm or suicide (NAMI,
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The NAMI has programs across the country, as does the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) of the United States. Both organizations aim to eliminate the overall societal perception of mental health as well as subsidize families and local hospitals that are in need of financial assistance to properly deal with the battles of mental illnesses. Federal legislation is needed for the treatment of mental health patients in wards and hospitals as well. Being put into an insane asylum is considered a punishment for criminals when it should simply be a rehabilitation center and safe place for those in need (Treatment Advocacy Center, …show more content…
Mental illnesses affect one fifth of the adult population of the US, and yet their welfare is sacrificed out of ignorance (Bekiempis, 1). Those who do not understand the struggle mental health patients face each day only cause it to become worse as they do not educate themselves before spewing fallacies about those affected. Violence and despair are not guaranteed side effects of mental illness, however, in current society, stigma and unfair treatment are. Ruby Wax asked one of the most thought provoking questions regarding mental illness, in its simplest form: “How come every other organ in your body can get sick and you get sympathy, except your brain?” (tumblr.com). It is time to start treating the brain as the important organ it is, and give those who are affected by mental illness not only the sympathy but the validation that they
The NAMI has programs across the country, as does the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) of the United States. Both organizations aim to eliminate the overall societal perception of mental health as well as subsidize families and local hospitals that are in need of financial assistance to properly deal with the battles of mental illnesses. Federal legislation is needed for the treatment of mental health patients in wards and hospitals as well. Being put into an insane asylum is considered a punishment for criminals when it should simply be a rehabilitation center and safe place for those in need (Treatment Advocacy Center, …show more content…
Mental illnesses affect one fifth of the adult population of the US, and yet their welfare is sacrificed out of ignorance (Bekiempis, 1). Those who do not understand the struggle mental health patients face each day only cause it to become worse as they do not educate themselves before spewing fallacies about those affected. Violence and despair are not guaranteed side effects of mental illness, however, in current society, stigma and unfair treatment are. Ruby Wax asked one of the most thought provoking questions regarding mental illness, in its simplest form: “How come every other organ in your body can get sick and you get sympathy, except your brain?” (tumblr.com). It is time to start treating the brain as the important organ it is, and give those who are affected by mental illness not only the sympathy but the validation that they