To my classmates & instructor:

I hope I've opened your eyes to an issue that truly needs more media attention. I've enjoyed blogging. It's something I've never done before. I've also enjoyed all of your blogs, and if you guys choose to continue them, I'll be sure to read your postings and contribute my comments at least weekly. I won't be continuing this blog because it deals with an issue that's very personal to me, I've worked in the mental health field, and I just want to lay it to rest. It's not the most uplifting subject matter, and I don't like to dwell on this type of stuff.

I wish you guys "good luck," "good blogging," and "good mental health." And, remember, don't cater to negative stereotypes. They lead to horrible stigmas. Just like you wouldn't judge people with diabetes, cancer or asthma, don't judge people with mental illness. Don't make their lives harder.

Mental illness affects a lot of people. Who knows ... That person who sat next to you in class might have a mental illness. Would you be able to tell if he did?

--E.A.

Depression: So Confusing

I found this article on a site called WebMD Health. It talks about a possible correlation between a gene and depression. However, the article points out that depression is by no means thought to be soley genetically based. The article also lists symptoms associated with depression. What people might not know is that the mind-body connection is strong, so depression is not soley a psychological disease. It's not just about being very sad. It attacks the body, as well. People with depression expereince symptoms like feeling very tired, loss of appetite, and/or headaches.

Images

A Massachusetts-based non-profit organization has put together a photo exhibit featuring people with mental illness. They're not pictures of people in straight jackets or with gloomy expressions. They're regular, everyday people with smiles on their faces. Nothing about their warm faces even hints at mental illness. It's not necessarilly a journalistic exhibit, but a medium is being used to inform, to educate, to describe, and, most important, to lessen a strong stigma.

Why are our children getting sick? (click here)

Innocent, feeble minds tormented by a powerful new enemy. I'm speaking of mental illness in children. It (mental illness) creeps up on them little by little, and then it waits for the most inopportune moment to strike. In my opinion, kids aren't able to cope with the first signs of a budding mental illness.

Sometimes, people are meant to get mental illness. It's probably in the genes, but sometimes people can develop a mental illness as a result of stress or a personal trauma. Parents need to be careful that they don't have unreasonable expectations for their children. Peer pressure's tough enough without the added burden of parents' unreasonable expectations stressing kids out.

So far I'd say the media have handled this topic delicately enough. But the media have to continue to do their part to responsibly cover mental illness in children. It can't be just about reporting. The meida should make sure that they make parents aware of mental illness warning signs in children. The media can help push or lessen stigma.

Children can get depressed. Children can get traumatized. There are psychiatric wards for children, and business is booming, unfortunately.

Good News: Less Stigma

I am always just a little wary of the media departments of businesses and other organizations. Obviously, their press will be one-sided, but"business is business," and everyone answers to somebody. It's understandable. Nonetheless, The American Psychiatric Association has a great media section on its official Web site. It contains news, press releases and contact info. Anyway, the APA recently issued a press release dealing with a supposed decline in stigma in America. It brought up some good points. The APA admits that America is a pill-happy country. Anti-depressant prescriptions are soaring and some people who take them don't bother to conitnue any kind of follow-up treatment. I'll say it again and again: I think pills are not the answer. They should be used as last resorts, in my humble opinion.

The book behind this blog

My inspiration for this blog came from 2 different sources: working in the mental health field and this book. It goes into what I talk about on this blog in more depth. I highly recommend this read. Wahl tackles stigma and stereotypes as they are presented in TV, radio and the advertising field. Strong arguments presented in this book.

The earlier, the better (click here)

In addition to reporting on mental health in kids and the dangerous side effects of certain medications they're taking, the media should also keep in mind that mental illness is still ruinning rampant in children. Just like cancer, diabetes and AIDS, mental illness is striking kids in -- according to the news -- large numbers. Like any disorder of the body, early detection and treatment of mental illness in children can only be beneficial to everyone, including the kids and their families. Being a grown-up is hard. Being a grown-up with a mental illness, almost impossible. Children are resilient, I think. Maybe children have the ability to more successfully battle mental illness than an adult.

Verdict: More media spotlight needed here.

Good News (for once)

A former writing teacher of mine during my undergad days kept it simple. She said, "News is something out of the ordinary." Hence, news could can be "good." The news can be about the happier out-of-the-ordinary events. This story was touching, truly: 2 people with mental illness getting married. It's not about people with mental illness who commit some heinous act. It's not about people with mental illness and the hardships they go through on a daily basis. It's about people with mental illness who love each other. It's about people with mental illness overcoming odds, odds usually heavily stacked against them. It's news ... good news.

Mental illness debilitates people to the point that they find it difficult to carry on normal relationshsips, sometimes. Human contact may be difficult for them, especially if their mental illness is somehow tied to past abuse.