Just curious. I'm not creating a poll on this question because I'd be happy if people elaborated a bit when answering. I know this forum attracts members of various ages, so I assume experiences may vary because of that, at least.

I'm in my mid 40s. I do not remember the topic of mental illness ever being discussed in any of my schools. Since I didn't take psychology course in college, I didn't learn much about them then, either. I do remember reading about mental illness once in high school when I was clearly in a mixed episode. But I wrongly self-diagnosed myself as possibly schizophrenic. When the episode passed (or when I became more elated), the thought passed. I had various episodes in my 20s, as well. I went to GPs for depression and anxiety, but wasn't really diagnosed with anything. I know I had varying levels of mania before and during that time, but I never saw that as mental illness. I lacked insight.

I got an email from my high school mentioning their 2019 Reunion Weekend. This year will mark 30 years since I graduated. Ugh! Though most of those years I have lived near enough to my high school to attend a reunion (i.e. 10th and 20th), I never did. I'm thinking that this year I will.

I went to a very small private high school. My graduating class was only 25 students. I only keep in touch with two of my classmates, and have written to them about my bipolar. But every year I get reunion news and the school newsletter containing stories of past alumni. So-and-so is a lawyer with two kids, another person a film maker, etc. About 15 years ago, I probably would have been proud to mention what I did for a living, but since then I wasn't willing/able to share what was going on with me. What was I supposed to say? I'm on disability, have no kids, and was recently hospitalized? I know. I certainly shouldn't have been embarrassed. But I was not eager to share. At some points I was even having trouble leaving my house, let alone going to some braggadocios shin-dig.

When I received the Reunion Weekend email yesterday, I decided to respond with an RSVP "yes". I mentioned what I had been up to since graduating, which included my struggle with mental illness. I didn't go into too much detail, but I wanted to mention that if it hadn't been for my mental illness, I would never have been sent to that school at all. Being sent to that school was very significant for me in so many ways. I won't list them.

The alumni director replied to my email this afternoon. It was a lovely response. She even wrote that she fully understands the strength it takes to live with a mental illness. She said that her mom, brother, AND sister all have bipolar disorder. I hadn't even written the word "bipolar disorder" in my email to her.

I sent a brief response to hers, asking if the school provides an educational seminar about mental illnesses, addictions, and destigmatization. I look forward to seeing what she says. I actually feel really good about this upcoming reunion. I no longer feel embarrassed. Honestly, I feel like a success, even despite still being on disability. I know that many people in this world have never had such challenges that many of us here have. There is a certain tolerance, patience, and fighting heroism necessary to survive such hardships. These achievements trump many of the more typically brag worthy ones I could have mentioned 16 years ago. There are many people that are rightly proud to say "I am a cancer survivor" or "I climbed Mount Everest". We should be proud of our fight, too.

[sarahsweets]

I am 43 and the only thing I remember about mental illness was a day of talking about bulimia and anorexia. This included the movies "kate's secret" and "the Karen Carpenter story" And the only drug talk we had was how weed was awful and could make you a lazy slug. Boy did they miss the mark on those years.

[Miss Laura]

Nope I finished high school in 2003 (13 years of education) and mental health was never spoken about in classes. We did have a Social Education class once a week for 40 mins and we learnt about drugs and alcohol.

I did have to see my school guidance for "therapy" in my final 2 years at school. I developed an eating disorder. Other than that no mental health wasn't discussed

[Guiness187055]

No nothing about mental health. We did have a police officer bring in a bunch of drugs to show us what they were and what they did.

[MickeyCheeky]

Thank you so much for making this thread, BirdDancer! I'm happy that you're not feeling embarassed anymore. Be proud of yourself! You're a warrior, just like everyone else here. I hope the reunion will go well! As for me, no, we've never discussed mental illness while I was in school (I'm 20). Which is a shame, because I think this should be talked about more, and it would help a lot of younger people, and their parents as well. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

I appreciate these shares! I found the following statistics, that in my opinion strongly supports the need for mental health-related education in schools. Sorry the stats are only for the US, not world.

• “1 in 5 young people suffer from a mental illness, that’s 20 percent of our population but yet only about 4 percent of the total health care budget is spent on our mental health.” – source Mental Disorders - Teen Mental Health

• “Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year.” - source www.nami.org

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

Thank you so much for making this thread, BirdDancer! I'm happy that you're not feeling embarassed anymore. Be proud of yourself! You're a warrior, just like everyone else here. I hope the reunion will go well! As for me, no, we've never discussed mental illness while I was in school (I'm 20). Which is a shame, because I think this should be talked about more, and it would help a lot of younger people, and their parents as well. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

Thank you, MickeyCheeky!

[Scooter9]

I finished school in the late 80s and there was nothing at all about mental health, bullying, family abuse, etc.

I was abused for years and sought help when I was in grade 5. That was the only time I ever had a chance to talk about it until many years later with my to be wife and therapy years later.

Those topics just weren't discussed.

I'm glad things have changed now. My kids don't fully understand my mental health issues but they do understand depression.

[Nammu]

I'm 60 they still had mandatory home ect and typing classes for girls when I was in school. Back then such things were not talked about openly. Girls who got pregnant were still shipped off to have babies somewhere else. Depression or drugs was a lack of moral fiber. Mania, well that was just shameful! But pot and alcohol was everywhere.

[Unrigged64072835]

I’m 53, so graduated in early 80s. No mention of mental illness in middle/high school. It was the Just Say No era, so of course sex, drugs, and underage drinking were rampant but not talked about. It was probably a good thing since my borderline and bipolar traits were in full swing, and I would’ve been stigmatized worse than I was already.

I won’t be going to any reunions anytime soon. Too far away and I would rather not relive the past, as that time was rather painful.

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I got an email from my high school mentioning their 2019 Reunion Weekend. This year will mark 30 years since I graduated. Ugh! Though most of those years I have lived near enough to my high school to attend a reunion (i.e. 10th and 20th), I never did. I'm thinking that this year I will.

Looking forward to reading your reunion story, BirdDancer!

I went to my first (20th but first for me) Master's program reunion in October. I was astounded to learn that mental illness was a prime topic on the agenda our our school's leadership. Since the Reunion I have been meaning to write to the school offering to come talk about living with mental illness and your post has further encouraged me to finally do that and not just ponder doing that. I was not ill while at school - I got ill later - but still.

[Daonnachd]

BirdDancer, thank you for this.

I also graduated (1988) from a small, private school. I don't remember any discussion of mental illness or stigma.

Twelve years later I was back at the same school teaching. I mention this because although I never go to my own class reunions, the class of 2003 always invites me to their reunion party/dinner/whatever. They know that I struggle with bipolar now though they didn't know when I was teaching.

Now, both of my sons are students of the same school. One graduated last year. The younger is now a junior. The English teacher is one of my former students and the principal is a friend. I think it's time for me to bring up education regarding mental illness and stigma. Thank you for the inspiration (and the statistical resources).

[Wander]

Not at all, but that was in the early 90's (yes I am old, lol). I wish they were as I was suffering incredibly and had no idea why, or what to do, and my parents had no idea either. It was a very taboo topic and when my behaviour became a burden on friends they would almost always drop me as they were terrified of me. Luckily the hypomania always led to me being charismatic and drawing new friends.

For anyone who has recently been in school, what is it like now?

Originally Posted by AspiringAuthor

Looking forward to reading your reunion story, BirdDancer!

I went to my first (20th but first for me) Master's program reunion in October. I was astounded to learn that mental illness was a prime topic on the agenda our our school's leadership. Since the Reunion I have been meaning to write to the school offering to come talk about living with mental illness and your post has further encouraged me to finally do that and not just ponder doing that. I was not ill while at school - I got ill later - but still.

That's interesting that mental illness was a topic at your reunion. I really do hope you make the offer to talk at the school! That would surely be a gift to many students there.

Originally Posted by Daonnachd

BirdDancer, thank you for this.

I also graduated (1988) from a small, private school. I don't remember any discussion of mental illness or stigma.

Twelve years later I was back at the same school teaching. I mention this because although I never go to my own class reunions, the class of 2003 always invites me to their reunion party/dinner/whatever. They know that I struggle with bipolar now though they didn't know when I was teaching.

Now, both of my sons are students of the same school. One graduated last year. The younger is now a junior. The English teacher is one of my former students and the principal is a friend. I think it's time for me to bring up education regarding mental illness and stigma. Thank you for the inspiration (and the statistical resources).

I hope you do!

I had lovely memories of my teachers at my small private school. You are surely special to your past students, too. That's nice that you see your class of 2003 from time to time.

Originally Posted by Wander

Not at all, but that was in the early 90's (yes I am old, lol). I wish they were as I was suffering incredibly and had no idea why, or what to do, and my parents had no idea either. It was a very taboo topic and when my behaviour became a burden on friends they would almost always drop me as they were terrified of me. Luckily the hypomania always led to me being charismatic and drawing new friends.

For anyone who has recently been in school, what is it like now?

I second your question. I'd also be interested in hearing from recent graduates.

I am now sure that I was far from the only student at my school struggling with mental health issues. Not by a long shot. My parents (or mainly my mom) did the best they knew how to do. It would have been good if they had been made more aware of mental health issues, as well. My dad's mom had bipolar disorder, but that was always kept so hush hush in the family. It (and a couple other things) even caused him a break down at 17.

no.

we never discussed things like that. not sure we even had anyone qualified to talk about it.
still, we used to get lots of speakers to come in- and it will constantly make me wonder how none of them talked about MI issues.

Um, no. Not at school, not at home, not anywhere. If it hadn't have been for the old Bob Newhart show, God only knows when I would have even heard the term "psychiatrist"(!) Anything negative of a psychological nature was VERY shameful and would never in a million years be discussed, let alone accepted. Under the rug with it!

I graduated high school in 1981. BP didn't unequivocally hit for another couple of years, but of course the situation hadn't changed. When I had to drop out of university, not only was help absolutely not considered, but I was considered by my mother (who is bat**** and super-judgemental) to suddenly be a "lazy ingrate" (despite previously always having high grades -- you'd have thought that would have been a clue that that wasn't the case and that something was very wrong...)

Anyhow yeah. As bad as it is now, it is MUCH, MUCH better than it was.

[AspiringAuthor]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

As bad as it is now, it is MUCH, MUCH better than it was.

So true Innerzone

[beauflow]

I wrote something earlier then deleted it, I rambled. Then I just remembered
DARE "to keep kids off drugs", was a thing in (I believe) middle school ... for me it interested me more, especially with my confusion & curiosity of my brothers usage...

In middle school, Columbine happened, which I was in the same state- remember a lot of encouragement to "talk if we needed to", "report anything suspicious ". But nothing specific to MI, but some :bullying is not ok" was mentioned

I remember having assemblies about:
drunk driving, (MADD group came)
a few motivational speakers that hinted if needing help?-reach out
Fighting ((after stabbing and increasing fighting))
Announcements when a few incidents of classmates dying in car accidents ((too many)), and when a kid shot at the school ((no injuries)).

I graduated in 2005... and I know I didn't go to a rough and tough school.

In one of my local group therapies a few years ago from now, there was a guy two years younger than me that mentioned when he was in school, they had more coping skills taught- like using "I and me, feel, etc" maybe I had this too but don't recall.

Now, friends- some were open with me and also I learned that some of what I thought was normal wasn't really.
Home- unspoken of to do not tell... to find out later most of us kids are dx with something, and yes "that's abuse"..
elementary school had me in special classes and asked that I go to a special testing-- my memory is bits and peaces- foggy- but my parents were told something, but I was told by my dad it was made up diagnosis ... I didn't even know what that all meant. I've mentioned this in other areas, need to let it go... but I do think some try to help out the kids...
I hope I never forget my 2nd grade teacher, she was very kind and helpful... her along those special classes helped me with reading and speech.

[pirilin]

Mental illness was inflicted, not discussed in my school years.
Particularily at the schools I attended to.

I have to thank The Superior Power every day for my 100% sanity after all that punishment.

Cheers.

[BipolaRNurse]

I graduated high school in 1976 and mental health wasn't on the radar at all, not even in health class. I am so glad to see MI discussed more and more in the popular culture, which will eventually lessen the stigma we face. There are a lot of celebrities "coming out" with their illnesses, and that helps as well. It's getting better.

[~Christina]

Nope nodda zilch.

I often wish the internet was alive while I was growing up as I think getting diagnosed early would have made my life much easier.

I was diagnosed at 43 and my daughter 3 month later. I had 43 years worth of crap to dig through in T. her much less thank god !!

But I muddle along, some good days some no so much.

I’m ever so grateful for my bipolar friends.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I took a psychology class in high school so it must have been discussed but I don't remember it. I knew I'd been depressed and suicidal so I'd think I'd remember but nothing. All I remember is being taught how advertisers use subtle psychological manipulation to get us to buy things and the teacher was an amateur dream interpreter.

[Nammu]

I took a psychology class in high school too. all I remember is the teacher going on and on about LSD and how it could lead to psychosis. In the book there were three cats drawn by a guy with schizophrenia and each got progressively sharp and weird showing him getting out of touch with reality. LSD was big back then but though I tried many things I never touched LSD.