Mental disorders are invisible illnesses. While some people actively work to survive their illness, others actively work to discriminate and dismantle these people’s safety nets.
Being able to receive help for mental illnesses can take time and can be costly. However, when treatment is provided a person with a mental disorder can feel in control of their lives. Not all disorders can be regulated by treatment, but the knowledge of a disorder can create the possibility for it to be studied and one day, treated.
Early screening and stable support systems are helpful in preventing severe symptoms of many mental disorders. Much like treating a physical injury, when a mental disorder is treated early on in its onset the person is able to gain control of the situation and find some way of healing.
Recognizing that mental illness is a real illness we create space for healing. Advocacy and speaking out helps bring mental illness to the forefront of societal issues. It helps give a voice to the voiceless and help them receive the care they need. Awareness and knowledge are key when working with invisible illnesses.
Please enjoy this video of Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman from Charlottesville. He offers information about statistics regarding mental illness as well the stigma that accompanies mental illness. He focuses on how to provide help for people with mental illnesses.
Signing off,
TWS
The Wandering Student 