[ombrétwilight]

I hope this is the correct forum...

Some of my old schoolmates recently set up a project to raise awareness on mental health issues to help our juniors still in high school. They were asking around for people to step out and speak up so I contacted them to see if it's anonymous (it isn't). The person I asked then questioned whether I truly believed in their cause to remove the stigma attached to MH problems by putting a face to real-life tales. I completely agree and support this so why am I so unwilling to share? I joined the team because I truly want to help but somehow I am holding back from sharing my experience because it's just so acutely uncomfortable.

Not sure how to explain it to her that I back the project fully but am simply dying inside at the thought of telling the entire school (pop. approx 2200) the demons I've hidden for so long. Why do I even feel this way?

[healingme4me]

It does seem intrusive of your desire for privacy. Trying to raise awareness and becoming a poster child, so to speak is like apples and oranges, night and day.

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[Altered Moment]

Not sure I could do it and I am pretty open about it. I also have a fair amount of experience being sharing publicly about alcoholism and addiction. There is more stigma still around MH than addiction. I have an opportunity to share if front of a group of Life Long Learners but I don't know if I can do it.

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In 1985, a U.S. Navy psychiatrist diagnosed me with schizophrenia. At the time, there was a lot of ignorance regarding schizophrenia. Many people were engaging in stereotypes, innuendos, and lies regarding schizophrenia. I'm not sure if it was my military training or my father's teachings (he was a police officer), but I have always believed in myself. First, I educated myself as to what schizophrenia is. After I did that, I didn't see myself as any different than a person with an under-active thyroid. I really didn't. I joined grass-roots movements advocating for the rights of people with mental illness. Most of the time, I was in a hostile environment. Many times my message was not well-received. But I believed in myself--and my message. I never considered myself to be a candidate for anything. My focus has always been on the movement. That's just the way I'm wired.

I would never "out" somebody. I feel that public advocacy for any issue is a personal choice. If you don't feel comfortable speaking in public regarding your mental health issues, then don't do it. As I said, I believe it's a personal choice.

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by kindness

In 1985, a U.S. Navy psychiatrist diagnosed me with schizophrenia. At the time, there was a lot of ignorance regarding schizophrenia. Many people were engaging in stereotypes, innuendos, and lies regarding schizophrenia. I'm not sure if it was my military training or my father's teachings (he was a police officer), but I have always believed in myself. First, I educated myself as to what schizophrenia is. After I did that, I didn't see myself as any different than a person with an under-active thyroid. I really didn't. I joined grass-roots movements advocating for the rights of people with mental illness. Most of the time, I was in a hostile environment. Many times my message was not well-received. But I believed in myself--and my message. I never considered myself to be a candidate for anything. My focus has always been on the movement. That's just the way I'm wired.

I would never "out" somebody. I feel that public advocacy for any issue is a personal choice. If you don't feel comfortable speaking in public regarding your mental health issues, then don't do it. As I said, I believe it's a personal choice.

There are other ways to advocate besides public speaking and "outing" yourself.

Kindness you might be interested in this. You can watch his talk about his book "Navy Crazy" on C Span. He was a medic in a Navy psych ward in Japan in the 50's. I really enjoyed the talk. Not the conditions but the talk.

Military - "Navy Crazy" - Book TV

Amazon.com: Navy Crazy eBook: Michael Aaron Rockland: Kindle Store