How comfortable are you wearing your mental health issue on your 'shirt sleeve'. I don't exactly put my own on a billboard persay, but I am quite public about it. I don't raise it with everyone I know or meet but I do not hide it. People I find tend to be less quick to put me or Mental Health concerns down as a result.

How public are you regarding what you do to actively take on the battle of Mental Illness. In addition to taking my meds and seeing my psychiatrist, I attend support groups and actively engage in therapy and self-help. As a result, my friends and family seem to better understand that my illness is a battle of which I actively take on. I don't appear to be apathetic about my Mental Health. In return I receive a great deal of understanding and support.

It also comes down to self-advocating. I speak up when taunts and jeers are thrown at the subject. I make an effort to educate.

I don't think then people see me as someone 'crazy' rather someone facing a problem head on and doing their best to face its challenges.

In my own experience, I will often get the response of , "Tell me about it."