The Toll on People with Mental Illnesses

Truthfully we live in a society where people’s looks and behaviors are based and judge. So for individuals who have some sort of mental illness they are looked down apart and most often ignore because they aren’t per say “normal” and capable to function properly. These individuals are not only left alone but are also stigmatized leading them to dramatically fall through the cracks and into a life of poverty.

It’s been said that one out five Canadians will experience a mental illness (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2003). And these mental illnesses vary from different forms, such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and also eating disorders (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002).  With a mental illness these individuals are incapable to get proper jobs and an education, which adds up to how they don’t have anything to support themselves or anyone to turn to because initially no one is gonna take them seriously. I find this quite sad because these individuals have nowhere to turn to, and even imagining myself in their shoes where basically you’re getting the “silent treatment” from society is quite unimaginable. “The serious stigma and discrimination attached to mental illnesses are among the most tragic realities facing people with mental illness in Canada. Arising from superstition, lack of knowledge and empathy, old belief systems, and a tendency to fear and exclude people who are perceived as different, stigma and discrimination have existed throughout history” (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). From that being said why not we change that perspective we as a society have and instead of judging these individuals help them, and not point the finger to their flaws as a functioning individual, because in the end no one is perfect and who are we to judge that.

 

We live in a country where we are fortunate to have and access education, so why not we educate ourselves in understanding these individuals and stop the inequality. I believe if we did so then the whole stigma and isolation that are place with people living with a mental illness would not exist.

Communication and trying to fit in is a struggle for these individuals and it’s our job to assist them in and lend a helping hand, by that meaning more resources to help each individual’s specific need to the best, and if capable helping them get jobs making them feel like they belong and aren’t just nobody’s wandering the face of this Earth. Because no one likes to feel left along and especially ignored.

- Hannah

References:

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2003). Mental Illness in Canada. Citizens for Mental Health. Retrieved from http://www.cmha.ca/data/1/rec_docs/155_mental_illnessENG.pdf

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2002). A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada.  Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/miic-mmac/chap_1-eng.php