| There is a serious problem in the world | | | | incredible. So many people think mental |
| today. Well, there are a lot. But the one I | | | | illnesses or personality traits are 'all in |
| would like to address is how we react to | | | | your head,' and not literally speaking, but |
| mental illnesses. How many people out in the | | | | as though we make it up. But people need to |
| world react to hearing of a mental illness | | | | realize that mental illnesses and personality |
| with negativity? There are a lot more than | | | | traits are real. Just because you do not |
| will admit to discrimination. | | | | always see scars, or see those with such |
| | | | illnesses and traits going for surgery, or |
| It is a terrible thing to discriminate | | | | being told they have three months to live, |
| against anyone for a lot of the things that | | | | does not make them any less real. |
| are stigmatized, such as race, creed, mental | | | | |
| illnesses or personality traits. Many people | | | | We need to raise awareness to these issues, |
| struggle with such discriminations everyday. | | | | and address them with open minds. The best |
| We as humans should have learned by now that | | | | way to start this, in my opinion, is to learn |
| we are all the same, but we haven't. How many | | | | about them. Talk about them. If you know |
| of us with mental illnesses have withheld | | | | someone with a mental illness or personality |
| that information from people, even friends or | | | | trait, talk to them. Don't discriminate. I've |
| family, for fear of discrimination? I know I | | | | seen OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) |
| have. And I know many who do. I have had many | | | | treated as though it is contagious. I have |
| people ask me what is wrong with me, or | | | | seriously been asked if Bipolar Disorder is |
| wonder why I can't leave the house some days. | | | | contagious. Yes, it is, right up there with |
| My answer is usually that I have a headache, | | | | hiccups. |
| a killer migraine, and I can't leave the | | | | |
| house. Why? Why do we tend to make excuses | | | | Racial matters have been an issue almost |
| for our actions, or lack thereof? Because of | | | | since the beginning of time, as we developed |
| the reactions. | | | | in our different lands, and it is still an |
| | | | ongoing issue. That goes the same for |
| I once had someone say to me, 'Watch out for | | | | discriminating against religion or sexual |
| that person, they are schizophrenic.' Now how | | | | orientation. Look at the discrimination. Now, |
| fair is that? That's like saying 'Hide your | | | | personality traits and mental illnesses are |
| cake, he's diabetic.' When people find out | | | | starting to come out of the closet. So, how |
| I'm on medication, the looks I get are | | | | do you plan on addressing them? |