Since my mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was 12 (but she had had it since around age 18) we never spoke of mental illness either. It was completely ignored. No one in the family ever acknowledged that anything was wrong with Mother (in fact, I never even learned what was wrong with her until about 10 years ago when she relapsed after being taken off her medication by an ignorant doctor). I have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember and started having panic attacks this year when she once again relapsed. I have had no problem acknowledging that I have a brain chemical imbalance (I am NOT mentally ill - even my T refuses to use that term). I am on medications that appear to be helping, although it is too soon to know about the antidepressant (only been on it for one week). But I told my brother and my staff at work, I fully acknowledge that it is a physical problem that affects my emotions. I refuse to hide my head in the sand like my family did. But that is just me - probably lots of people would rather others not know. I do say that some people have started treating me differently (not my staff but some of the City officials - like I am a delicate case of dynamite that might blow up at any minute). I am just having to deal with that as part of the process. Hope this answered your question.