Educate yourself on mental health
By Joseph R. Yost
One in four. Twenty-five percent; that’s how many adult Americans are estimated to live with a diagnosable mental health condition. While mental health and substance abuse issues are common, they are also treatable, and it is possible for individuals to go on to recover and lead full and productive lives.
Unfortunately, though, many people living with a mental health condition never seek or receive help because of the stigma. Stigma is born from lack of information or a misunderstanding of mental health conditions.
Yost is a member of the General Assembly. He represents House District 12, which includes Blacksburg.
May 24, 2012 - 8:00 AM
Great article. I would also add that people get educated and stop telling those with mental health issues that it is “all in your head” and maybe just thinking differently would help!
He has a valid point that education and removing stigma is important, but discrimination is the bigger problem and it is not going anywhere. A DUI, even a felony, will be looked at more favorably than a mental health hospitalization in employment. A large percentage of the “Sex Offender Registry” is doubtless the mentally ill, as is the prison system. THAT is how we handle the issue and that is not going to change in these “austere” times.
I have never used the epithets “crazy, nuts, loony, psycho, sick” to describe anyone who was actually mentally ill, I have used them to describe people who are choosing to behave like cretins.