I have no idea where I come up with my blogs. You would think there were only a few issues to write about on the topic of mental illness. But they just keep flowing through my pencil; as fast as I can print on paper, the faster my brain tells me what to write. So hopefully I never get writer’s block.
I’ve eluded to stigma or stigmatized in several blogs but I think it deserves a post of its own. The stigma that surrounds mental illness is astounding and comes from all facets of life; even the person with a mental illness themselves.
Let’s begin by defining exactly what stigma is and its relation to mental health. Stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person”. For example; shame, disgrace, or humiliation. Stigma is a negative stereotype. Stigma is a reality for many people with a mental illness and “they report that how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to a complete and satisfying life”.
The Canadian Mental Health Association stated that, “Mental illness can affect anybody, regardless of age, gender, culture, ethnicity or social class. But no matter who they are, people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness are all likely to experience stigma. Public attitudes and beliefs, often based on fear and misunderstanding, stereotype individuals with mental illness, exposing them to prejudice and discrimination. Stigma infects every issue surrounding mental illness, often with worse consequences than the illness itself. The World Health Organization declared stigma to be the single most important barrier to overcome in the community.”
Having said all of that, it’s time to get a little more personal and to express my own thoughts and experiences about stigma. Education and speaking out are two of the most important elements in breaking down the walls of stigma. For me personally I have well self-educated myself on the topic of stigma and my own mental illness. And I have most definitely spoken out and talked openly and publicly about my illness. I was guilty of stigmatizing myself because I had a mental illness. I was ashamed, afraid to go out in public or be around other people for fear of being looked down upon, belittled or looked upon as being different. But what I have come to realize is that we are all different, all unique and all have a mental illness (in one way or another); none of us are perfect. I now love sharing my story and talking about my mental illness, it as opened up an whole new world for me. Not an easy one but life is not always easy.
The Health Care System in this province is partially to blame for the stigma that surround this illness. From my own personal experience, the moment you walk in through the hospital doors, you feel different, you are treated different; you are stigmatized. The physiatric unit is usually isolated and in the basement or if not, the windows are locked shut with iron bars. And all units are locked down. A patient or a criminal? And here I was suffering from anxiety; what better way to push your anxiety through the roof. Our mental health system needs to be totally revamped. Is that going to happen anytime soon? I doubt it. The answer for now is to keep speaking out and let others be aware and become educated.
The media as played a role in the way mental illness is stigmatized. Often portraying someone with mental illness as being different or sometimes even dangerous. But I have also found that the media, especially today, are trying to break down the walls of stigma. For example, the Bell Aliant campaign; Lets Talk, has really educated and helped the general public to see mental illness in a new light. And this is what we need; more people talking openly about this issue.
Lastly, the Government of NL need to be held accountable. One very important way that the government itself can break down the walls of stigma is to totally demolish the Waterford Hospital. It screams; STIGIMA! And the building itself is falling down and delapitated. The halls have a ghostly aura about them. I remember when I was very ill and at the end of my resources, that I packed my bag, with the intention of being admitted; I didn’t know where else to turn. But sadly I was turned away because they said, “the Waterford was no place for me”. It would only make my anxiety worse. Now that speaks volumes to me. So I was sent home with a pill under my tongue. For me to want to be admitted, to such a place, meant I was desperate. But I left feeling there was no hope. What we need is a new hospital; a hospital that gives us hope. Without hope we will never heal.
We need a hospital with an environment that says, welcome, you are safe here,we are going to give you the help and support that you need and deserve. And not every illness cramped into a single room or wing. Someone dealing with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc. placed on wings of the hospital that are less anxiety provoking; where patients are dealing with the same or similar issues. And other severe illnesses placed in a safe environment for them, based on the severity of their illness, not on wherever a bed is available. It doesn’t make sense herding all illnesses/disorders onto the same ward. You wouldn’t put a cardiac patient on a maternity ward, so why would you put someone with depression on a psychosis ward. Your diagnosis should determine where you are placed in the hospital. Also, if a school was as stigmatized and delapitated as the Waterford; would we send our children there? No, we would fight for a new school. Why then are we willing to send our loved ones to such a disgraceful building?
The name of the hospital itself needs to be changed: “The Waterford Hospital” shouts stigma and raises red flags right away. The first thought that comes to my mind is; “the looney bin”, that’s just how stigmatized the building is. So sometimes to break down the walls of stigma, we have to literally tear down the walls!
So, let’s get talking and break down the walls of stigma. I am not ashamed of my illness, no more then if I had any other form of illness. I am a real person, with a real illness and I wish to be treated no different. I will face life with my head held high and no one as the right to stigmatize or discriminate against me because I have a mental illness. Maybe tomorrow it could be you, never judge a book by it’s cover! Respect everyone!