Teaching the warning signs of mental illness
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A new study shows that many Hispanics in the U.S. know very little about mental illness, and that most agree being taught the warning signs would be beneficial to them.
I agree. But I don’t limit it to Hispanics, or any cultural group in the US. Not just Hispanics, or Chinese, or Koreans, or African Americans. Not just anyone.
Everyone.
There is far too little awareness of mental illness in this country, and even less in other countries.
We’re not going anywhere. We have mental illnesses. We’re living in this world, and we’re going to continue to live here. We are part of the world, and for the most part, we’re an active, contributing part. More of us could be active and contributing to the world, and ourselves, if more people understood that mental illness is really no different than any illness. It must be treated, and it must be accepted as just something we deal with.
So yes, let’s teach warning signs of mental illness. Let’s also teach that it is not something to be ashamed of, and that it makes us who we are. I know I would not be the person I am, the creative force I am, without my illness. Do I like the illness? No, of course not, but I can live with it.
And I think more people could live successfully with their mental illness if more information was widely available.
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