During the past recent weeks in the U.S., the media has taken it upon itself to go for the jugular vein in its report of the death of Mary Kennedy (estranged wife of Robert Kennedy, Jr.) and of Jesse Jackson, Jr. "alleged mood disorder." At no time was the public presented with clear and consise evidence of Mrs. Kennedy's medical history and nor should we have been. Simarily, while Mr. Jackson is a public figure as a congressman, is the media correct in its hellish manner to out him as having a "mood disorder?" Whether he communicates with the public or not is not the issue. The concern should be whether or not he is on the road to recovery and educating himself on how best to live his life.
We should never allow our illness to define us. And, we should not allow others either. We should receive the same level of care as the person with diabetes who requires insulin, or the person with cardiac poblems who requires nitro-glycerin. Having a mental illness does mean that we cannot live productive and healthy lives because we can. We can work, have relationships, raise children, and find meaning and purpose. The caveat is that we will have to educate ourselves through researching the illness that has invaded our bodies, engage with psychiatric professionals, and probably take medication(s) for an indefinite time. The process will take time, patience, and the ability to forgive ourselves when we feel like giving up and need motivation. Eradicating the stigma of mental illness will take a willingness to educate the public that ignorance and fear are the root causes.
We should never allow our illness to define us. And, we should not allow others either. We should receive the same level of care as the person with diabetes who requires insulin, or the person with cardiac poblems who requires nitro-glycerin. Having a mental illness does mean that we cannot live productive and healthy lives because we can. We can work, have relationships, raise children, and find meaning and purpose. The caveat is that we will have to educate ourselves through researching the illness that has invaded our bodies, engage with psychiatric professionals, and probably take medication(s) for an indefinite time. The process will take time, patience, and the ability to forgive ourselves when we feel like giving up and need motivation. Eradicating the stigma of mental illness will take a willingness to educate the public that ignorance and fear are the root causes.
