Why are mental illnesses STILL taboo? It’s like it’s worse now, in the 21st century, to have to admit that you’re taking medication for mental health than it was in the 1800s when you had to retire for an afternoon due to ‘hysteria’ and ‘melancholy’.
And why are mental illnesses still considered personal defects, weaknesses, and looseness of character?
If I have spina bifida, diabetes, or neck sharks, I would have a ‘bona fide’ physical ailment for which I could get treatment and go on with my life. I can go to my boss and say, “dude. My pancreas just died” without too much trouble. If I have a flu, I stay home from work. But when I’m suffering from work overload or depression or schizophrenia, not being able to work is suddenly some big horrible, unmanageable beast.
What’s with the ‘buck up, little soldier’ attitude? The whole ‘just get through this and you’ll be fine’ bee ess? And why, for the love of God, have we done away with mental health institutions? Why does it take six months to get in to see a counsellor? Why are patients clearly in need of psychiatry, counselling, and/or drug therapy just released from hospitals and forced to live in the streets? Where’s the help for mentally ill patients? Where’s the sexy fundraiser? Where’s the brightly coloured shirt and armbands (that I wouldn’t *wear*, but we’ve been over this) and the informational PSAs and the sensitivity training?
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