Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health

Most of us were not able to make it too long in our lives without feeling some sort of stigma or shame because of something about us.  Maybe it was your hair cut in elementary school or the clothes you wore in jr. high.  Those feelings are strong and can lead us to avoid certain situations and people.  Michael Angelo has a great article for us this week about the stigma of mental health issues.  Here is what he has to say:

False beliefs about mental health can cause significant problems for those who need treatment the most.  The last thing that someone with a mental illness needs is to be stigmatized because of it.   

Negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common.  Some of the harmful effects of a stigma like this can include reluctance for people to seek help due to a lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers, or others they may know.

There might be fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities, or trouble finding housing as well.  Let's also not forget that, unfortunately, ignorance about mental health can lead to bullying, physical violence, or harassment.

To complicate matters, health insurance might not adequately cover mental illness treatment.  Also, there's the belief that these individuals will never be able to succeed at certain challenges or that they can't improve their situation because they are just too weak, inadequate, or even crazy.

But, according to Mayo Clinic, steps exist to cope with the stigma of mental health. Here are ways Mayo Clinic provides to deal with it:

• Get treatment. You may be reluctant to admit you need treatment. Don't let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief by identifying what's wrong and reducing symptoms that interfere with your work and personal life.

• Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame.  Stigma doesn't just come from others. You may mistakenly believe that your condition is a sign of personal weakness or that you should be able to control it without help. Seeking psychological counseling, educating yourself about your condition and connecting with others with mental illness can help you gain self-esteem and overcome destructive self-judgment.

• Don't isolate yourself.  If you have a mental illness, you may be reluctant to tell anyone about it. Your family, friends, clergy or members of your community can offer you support if they know about your mental illness. Reach out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need.
  

• Don't equate yourself with your illness.  You are not an illness. So instead of saying "I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder." Instead of calling yourself "a schizophrenic," say "I have schizophrenia." 

• Join a support group.  Some local and national groups, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offer local programs and Internet resources that help reduce stigma by educating people with mental illness, their families and the general public. Some state and federal agencies and programs, such as those that focus on vocational rehabilitation or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), offer support for people with mental health conditions.

• Get help at school.  If you or your child has a mental illness that affects learning, find out what plans and programs might help. Discrimination against students because of a mental health condition is against the law, and educators at primary, secondary and college levels are required to accommodate students as best they can. Talk to teachers, professors or administrators about the best approach and resources. If a teacher doesn't know about a student's disability, it can lead to discrimination, barriers to learning and poor grades.

• Speak out against stigma.  Consider expressing your opinions at events, in letters to the editor or on the Internet. It can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and educate the public about mental illness.

"Others' judgments almost always stem from a lack of understanding rather than information based on the facts," said Mayo Clinic. "Learning to accept your condition and recognize what you need to do to treat it, seeking support, and helping educate others can make a big difference."

Have you been stigmatized or seen someone stigmatized by someone who didn't understand the seriousness of a psychological disorder? Please share any personal experiences with mental health issues here. Or, use this space to provide details about disorders, treatments, medications, therapies, etc. They are welcomed!

The more comments related to a particular topic, the better. Let us reason together!

By: Michael Angelo, LCPC

Where is God In The Face Of Suffering?

In life, we cannot avoid suffering.  It is inevitable that we will at some point lose someone we love, lose a job, or suffer our own illnesses.  Nicole Majka has an open and honest conversation for us this week on her views of suffering after just recently losing a close friend.  Here is what she has to say:

I recently lost a very close friend of mine to cancer. For 18 months I saw her battle and fight, her family and friends prayed she would be healed. Sadly, this was not the case and she passed away. I watched her husband, kids, family and friends grieve her loss. I couldn’t understand how God could allow a wonderful, loving and caring woman to be taken at such a young age. I admit, I was angry at God even yelled at him for taking another person whom I loved dearly from my life. My conversation went something as follows “Why not take a murder, rapist or child molester instead of my friend, why did you let this happen?” I have experienced other losses in my life some due to illness others due to tragic accidents. I have struggled in my relationship and walk with the Lord during these times. In my work with clients, I too have seen incredible suffering and loss whether is a child, infant, parents, spouse friend and sibling. One of my biggest questions is where is God in the face of suffering?

The reality is, there is no easy way to answer this question. Many times I have heard “Why does God allow bad things to happen”? In my search for biblical answers, I was led to the Book of Job. Job lost everything; his wife, daughters, sons, animals and livelihood. Job cursed the lord for his suffering, blamed God for Satan’s doing and questioned the Lords Sovereignty. In the end, after much hardship, praying and forgiveness, Job experiences a wealth far greater then he can imagine. Romans 8:28 states “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”. When we are in the midst of our suffering we don’t see what the future will hold, but the Lord does. I know in my own life I have learned valuable lessons about life and love through every tragedy I have experienced. Every experience has made me stronger and wiser and has shaped me whom I am today. I too have seen amazing things happen out of suffering and tragedy in clients I have been privileged to work with. "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10)

The bible contains countless stories of suffering, some are healed by Jesus and others suffer and die. Throughout the Psalms, David cries out to the Lord and begs for answers for his suffering. Jesus himself stated in Matthew and Psalm 22:1 to God "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" as he hung on cross before his death. Jesus’s suffering before he died was unimaginable however, it was only through his crucifixion that we saved and granted freedom from our sins. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

I will never know the answer to why my friend died of cancer, why my cousin was killed in car accident, and why a client lost a child or a friend contracted an incurable illness on this side of heaven. What I do know is God is faithful; his love is everlasting and will never forsake us. God does care about your suffering and pain; he has not forsaken or abandoned you. “Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. 1 Chronicles 28:20.

Grief and suffering will always be a part of lives. The Lord is the only one that can fill the hole in soul when we are hurting. Tears will fall, we will miss our loved ones terribly, feel angry with God and others and question God’s motives. Matthew 10:29-31 “But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. If God cares for the sparrow and the tiniest creatures he cares about your pain and suffering. Always remember footprints in the sand “For it was then that I carried you”.

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

By: Nicole Majka, LCPC

Little Disciples

This week, Adrienne Kather has brought us a new perspective on the idea of disciplining.  For those feeling like they are constantly struggling with discipline at home, I trust this article will provide hope and encouragement.  Here is what Adrienne has to say:

What is the ultimate goal that we want for our kids? Think long term. Think future.  Big picture, the ultimate goal is that they would be healthy adults who have healthy relationships and are contributing members to society. I don’t know about you, but when I think about that as the ultimate goal, I feel a bit overwhelmed. How do we accomplish that goal? 

Disarming Cognitive Distortions With Biblical Truth

No one is immune from negative thinking.  Sometimes, it is worse than others and for some, these negative thoughts can lead to mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.  Francine Costanza has organized some common forms of negative thinking and then given us a way to challenge those negative thoughts with Biblical truth.  Here is what she has to say:

It has been said that everything we need for right living can be found in the Bible. But sometimes the scriptures can be hard to relate to or we have to read quite a few chapters before we come across what we need at the moment.  If we are in a depressed state, it can be especially hard to open the Bible and feel encouraged.  Fortunately God uses people in modern times to show us His wisdom and truth in new ways which can help us change our thinking and feel better, leading to positive change.