[lenjan]

Hey you guys, I have a column due in a few weeks (I rotate writing the Sunday column with a few other people). I like to take the opportunity of a platform to stir the pot and make people think.

I want to do one on the stigma of mental illness and the popular misconceptions of it. The way most of the mainstream media seizes on mental illness as an excuse for aberrant behavior, even when it's clearly not even remotely related, ticks me off. (See Doc John's recent blog post for a good example.)

I'd like to hear your pet peeves and your experiences. I won't quote anybody by name, not even screen name. I do plan to discuss my own experiences, because that's usually what engages readers for better or worse and gets them talking (so I know they're reading, LOL). Consider this a chance to rant.

I also like to add an educational component to my columns, so if you have any favorite psych-related websites that might be relevant, pass them on. I will certainly plug PC.

Our paid Sunday circulation is somewhere in the 40,000s, meaning that if every person who subscribes reads the paper that day, that's how many will read this. But newspapers tend to get passed along to others in the household, etc. There's a decent chance of making a difference here. Help me out?

thanks

Candy

[WinterRose]

I'm lucky - I haven't met with any stigma from those around me. My boss does worry that I might get too stressed and I guess some people think you're a little delicate. My biggest thing is that I don't know what to think of myself. I get confused. Sometimes it's like having an altered consciousness, but then I'll come back to sanity. No one else, excluding pdoc & T, seem to notice much because I hide my real state when things are bad. Guess that's something - it would be nice if I didn't have to fear that others would back away because I was too intense or just because they didn't know what to do. There isn't a lot of information out there about how to support people with mental illness on a casual basis - people get nervous and don't know how to respond even if they want to. Perhaps a simple, "I'm sorry, I don't know what I can do, but I wish I did" would be a start. Does this help?

I have met with stigma over my issues, and would be happy to answer any questions you might have candy. I am just a pm away!

[nothemama8]

happy to do this, give me until Sunday to get it typied up so it makes sense
Love ya
Angie

[lenjan]

Take your time, it's not due for a couple weeks yet.

Winter, yes, that makes perfect sense.

Rainbow, I'll get back to you with questions!

Thanks everybody!

Candy

[DePressMe]

I have not really thought this through…but, what about the stigma that it is the person’s own fault they are ill? I have had people tell me to “just pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or that it was my “choice” to be ill—I “just need to decide to stay better and stick with it.” Those irritate me the most. Who in the heck would choose to be like this?

[sassypants]

CandyBear,

I also feel the same way as DepressME. I have gotten into
a lot of arguments because I am depressed. I just tell
people now, Respect me, If you haven't gone through it,
you don't have any idea how it feels. I also stay away
from people who judge me. WE do not need negative
people in our lives, especially when we have this stigma
of mental illness.

Good Luck with your column and Thanks for doing this.

[ozzie]

Candy, I've also had stigma attached to my mental health problems and would be glad to share. Let me know how you want me to do that.