Mental Illness Week and World Mental Health Day

                  In 1990 Congress established the first full week October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). This designation was greatly influenced by the advocacy efforts of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), This year the theme of Mental Illness Awareness Week is “Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together.”  October 10^th is recognized as World Mental Illness Day. This day is an invitation to raise awareness and advocate for mental healthcare worldwide.

                  Mental Illness is a topic that is obviously close to my heart. I would not be writing this blog if I did not feel strongly about mental health. I am very open about the fact that I live with mental illness. I have often been asked why I am so open about it. When I pause to think about that question, I find a very important answer. Too often mental illness is hidden in shame or banished behind stigma. I have experienced both the shame and stigma. Most of us living with mental illness have. We need to eliminate the shame and break the stigma. That is why I speak up. 

                  Shame and stigma have impacted me at times. I have hidden my mental illness at work afraid to let my colleagues and bosses know about my illness. I felt the sting of embarrassment when anxiety attacks with chest pain landed me in emergency rooms only to be dismissed by doctors who did not understand. Jokes are made about mental illness. Insensitive words are thrown around without thought as to how they make those of us living with mental illness feel. It is for these reasons that a week like this is important. Mental Illness Awareness Week is an opportunity to spread awareness and understanding. It is through these that we reduce the stigma and shame surrounding mental illness.

                  I am open about my mental illness, although I admit there are times when I remain quiet. One of the reasons I can be open is that I have seen how differently mental and physical illnesses are treated by others.  When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was met with well wishes and concern. While I appreciated that care greatly, it allowed me to see the unequalness between mental and physical illness. When we are unable to do something because of depression or anxiety, others often do not understand. But if we are in bed because of a physical illness or even a broken leg, we get cards or well wishes.

                  Another reason I share my mental illness is to help people understand that it truly is an illness. It is not something to hide in shame. It is not something to make jokes about. I believe I have an obligation to use my experiences to spread awareness about mental illness. Not everyone who lives with mental illness is able to do this. Often, mental illness is debilitating to the point where it is difficult to function. There have been times in my life when I was not able to speak up about mental illness. Right now, I am able. So, I am going to use my voice as much and as often as I can.

                  Back to the theme of this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week. We need to work together to support mental well-being. It takes all of us working together to break the stigma and shatter the shame. People living with mental illness need support and resources. It is my hope that the words I write here reach other people. For each post I write here, I share the link on social media. It is my attempt to draw more attention to mental illness. Sometimes the social media efforts bring readers to this page. Other times I need to rely on my loyal readers to share the blog posts. Either way, my posts get attention. Even if I help just one person, I have accomplished my goal. I do not want to stop there. I want this blog to reach as many people as possible. So, one action you can do to support mental illness awareness during this week is to share the link to my blog with one other person.  If you can share with more than one, that would be amazing. Together as a community, we can support people living with mental illness and end the shame and stigma.