I agree that there is still a ton of stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and that that is a tragedy both because it's unfair to the people who suffer and because it prevents people from getting help.

But, and I may be in a minority here, I believe that the only way to challenge societies perceptions is to be open about our own mental illnesses and challenge negative stereotypes when we see them in the media.

I'm completely open with people about the fact that I'm an alcoholic - they know at work. They also know at work that I suffer from mental illness, although not the exact diagnosis - but I do have work accomodation to come in late once a month so I can see my pdoc. At my last job, they new way more, but I'd been there longer and they'd seen me when I was really messed up.

In addition to being the companies sole accountant, I'm the benefits administrator for the company and when our health benefits provider launched a new mental health wellness site, I made sure I sent an announcement with the link to everybody in the company.

When I see articles in the paper that portray people with mental illness in a stereotypical light, I write letters to the editor.

Whenever I speak at AA, I'm open about my MH history, because that's a huge part of my recovery story, and I've been able to help a lot of people in AA who are struggling with or have family members who struggle with self harm issues, because I'm open about the fact that I used to do it, and because I can direct them to resources.

Sure sometimes I get looked at a little weird, but mostly my experiences have been positive. Now at the risk of sounding awful some of this may have to do with the fact that I am high functioning. I have a good job, I do volunteer work, in other words I live a totally normal middle class life - I just need drugs to do so.

I know it's hugely risky - but I think things will only change if we speak up about them.

--splitimage