Mental Illness
"The Smoke Screen"

In recent times, there have been an amazing trend in promoting mental health and removing the stigma attached to mental illness. However, a heavy cloud still lingers over the issue and leads one to wonder whether these attempts are 'trendy nine days wonder' or serious efforts to sustainably assist those with mental illness.


I have arrived at this assertion because of experiences I have had, observations I have made and the realities that exists. Quite frankly, removing the stigma attached to persons with mental illness is easier said than done. This is evident in how we treat with the mind/brain.

Consider the following illustration: when we come across an individual who has injured a limb or even an eye, there is a certain amount of sympathy shown and urgency towards improving their misfortune. On the contrary, a disease of the mind is met with much scuff, scorn, shunning and scorching pity. It is as though the mentally ill individual ceases to be fully human and has taken on 'alien traits' unfit for the 'sensibly constructs' of a 'sane' world. Thus, the isolation of the sane and insane becomes more that just classifications but more so, rooted mental slavery for those with 'shackled minds'.

In essence, there exists a smoke screen when it comes on to the attitude towards persons with mental illness. October brings with it, its fair share of awareness and de-stigmatization. Dated with campaigns, forums, sympathy and even temporary dutch courage for those ailing from mental illness. The sudden change of heart and soothing perspectives makes it easy to believe in a possible stigma reveloution and maybe even...a "Stigma Run"


What happens throughout the year though? What becomes of the awareness and the supposedly de-stigmatization. Why does a metally ill student on medication gets cast out of a brotherhood? Why is a metally ill cousin seen as an embarrassment and a chore? Staying home with the passing years, ignorant to how the changing world operates? Why is a mentally ill child hushed and made to think they are causing their worries?

 Why is mental illness associated predominantly with eating from the trash can, clothse indecently fitted; hair matted and odor rotten? Why do we not emphasize and desist from making taboo, the fact that even depression should be taken seriously?

So many 'whys' that our forums and campaigns neglect to address to the core. Instead, fancy posters, grand decors and of cousre media coverage takes the fore. The issue of mental illness continues in the minds of many after the season of coverage has passed...literally!
Lady Justice, is mental illness a crime? Will the relvance of October continue to plea #Insanity or will we put our hand across our breasts and become heroes and heroines of our mental wellness and that of others?

Lady Justice, what can we do differently? Here are my tips to you:

⦁ Conduct more advertisements and public awareness campaigns throughout the year about mental health (illness and wellness). This will aid in consistency, relevance and a normalization of discussions surrounding the topic. Hence, more time is allocted for persons to come forward with their stories and reintegration for those recovering will not be so daunting.

⦁ Encourage community and family members to seek help for the mentally ill members around them instead of concealing the situation or settling for confinement in the home/community with little to no medical attention.

⦁ Do not ignore cases of trauma or other streesful situations on self or on any other individual. Speak about these emotions and get professional advises too. Sometimes, these "little" emotions fester, leading up to a big break.

⦁ Support assylums. Seek out their needs. Are they over crowded? Are they in delapidated conditions? Both workers and patients in these facilities need to be treated well so as to improve, stabilize or secure their mental wellness.

⦁ Build good support networks for individuals who are mentally ill. Remind and/or persuade them to take their medication. Some persons are all good until they miss out on their meds. Having a good support system, even for reminders... is imperative.

⦁ All in all, do not ridicule. We are fragile beings whose mental well being can be disturbed at any point in our lives. While some individuals are predisposed to these conditions more than others, we ought to remember that illness (mental) is no respector of class, gender nor age.
The next time you endorse mental health..don't do so lightly.

The next time you campaign for the de-stigmatization of mental illness, do so beyond the trends and hashtags.
The next time you look in the mirror, take note that even you can become mentally ill. How would you want to be treated then?