Say No To Stigma

WE ARE A PEER TO PEER SUPPORT GROUP.
OUR MISSION IS TO HELP STAMP OUT THE LABELS AND STIGMA ATTACHED TO MENTAL ILLNESS, TO HELP HEAL THE INVISIBLE WOUNDS AND TO SHARE RECOVERY EXPERIENCES.

The invisible wounds. . . it starts here. A mental health sufferer often has no visible symptoms that alert those who are near to provide urgent medial help. In the contrary, when a mental health sufferer shows anger, frustration, tears or even self-isolation; everyone near him or her takes off and don't want to get involved. They are either ashamed of having a nutter amongst them or they fear a violent outburst that may lead to extreme harm. They fear unpredictable conduct, that they may not be able to deal with.
The reaction of those who are near to provide the first response is the matter that needs to be addressed. We get trained in dealing with, heart attacks, strokes, severe injuries or the onset of an illness, but when it comes to mental health those who are near often panic themselves and the first thing they think of is try to pass the buck to someone else. Not because they [don't want to know] , but because they [do not know how to deal with] this intimidating illness. Even trained medical staff, members of local authorities or even the judiciary have only two approaches: medicate or lock up. The stigma of mental health is stabbing our society in its very heart, that is the family. It is in the family and amongst the closest ones to the sufferer that education MUST start. They are the true first response team. They are the protector, the campaigner and the long term nursing staff.

Mental illness can affect anybody regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or background. You probably know somebody with mental illness. And mental illnesses are not caused by poor decisions or bad habits. They affect a person's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, much like heart disease or diabetes. The stigma associated with mental illness is one of the biggest barriers to recovery. If we want to be a truly healthy society, we need to break the stigma and treat mental illness like any other medical condition. It starts with you.