I've been debating on speaking out on something and for good or bad I can't help myself. I do not wish to offend or call anyone out even if it feels I am.

A lot of the time when someone hears about mental illness it's when someone has murdered their children or shot up a school. But we here know that is an extreme case and not the typical behavior of the average person with the illness. Throughout history, those of us with mental health issues have not been treated in the most healing, compassionate or caring manner despite having a life threatening illness. We have and still do experience barbaric and archaic treatment from professionals and the public. We have, like so many minority's before us come a long way but still have much farther before we arrive at adequate. To achieve Civil Rights, it's taken many very brave men, women, humans. People with the courage to speak out for themselves or their family members. People willing to be open about their struggles, humanize it, put a face to it. It's not always safe to do so......just like with gay rights and people standing up you do put yourself out there for abuse. This doesn't make it right and it shouldn't be accepted as a "what do you expect dummy,.....should have kept it to yourself" kind of thing. Don't ask don't tell is shameful. I'm not brave enough to stand up but I wish I were. I applaud those who do and thank them for their courage. I'm sorry for any harm doing so has brought them.....it should not be expected or accepted. We all have benefits from those who came before us advocating on our behalf.....we should be grateful for these people.....not feeling they get what they deserve for telling the truth.