Is Mental Health Week effective?

Hi @NikNik and everyone,

Reading your thread @NikNik was the first I have ever heard about mental health week and I have been on forums for many years. So I don't think it is well known in communities and for that reason is not as effective as it could be.

This forum displays the most support and compassion for those struggling with not only mental health issues - but aspects of their lives that they are not coping with that adversely effects their mental health; - it allows them to tell their story bringing greater awareness of others struggles with anxiety/depression to the wider public. So advertising this forum not only for those with complex mental illness but for all who struggle with life adversities causing mental distress wou,d be the most effective means of reducing stigma.

If I could change one misconception of mental illness it would be that it is an illness of "feeble mindedness of the weak minded". Especially where male sufferers are concerned.

Once that insight happens then others are more likely to look at, understand and empathise with the circumstances and plight that may have driven the sufferer over the edge - accepting those afflicted more into society rather than being looked at as misfits - offering more support and compassion.

Mental Health week may make people reflect on their own state of mind,but it is like everything else...unless you have experienced it you have no idea.Ignorance will always be there such as the husband of sadgirl.I don't believe the stigma of mental illness will ever go away,as society has institutionalized the competitive "survival of the fittest nature".

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@Li1 wrote:

I don't believe the stigma of mental illness will ever go away,as society has institutionalized the competitive "survival of the fittest nature".

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That's what they said about women. You know, the whole 'they belong in the kitchen', 'they're weak', 'role is to be a baby factoy'. Look at the outcomes now. Not perfect but definitely much better and improving all the time. Societal values have changed. Same can be said for a whole bunch of other groups as well.

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

Instead of helping me with my MI my husband decides to not help me. He doesn't want to hear it; doesn't want to know anything about it.

How do we change people's perspectives of mental illness. Is it because THEY are scared?

I don't know; all i know is that my husband is ignorant in regards to mental illness. And that is really sad because this is what we are trying to do - REDUCE THE STIGMA.

I isolated myself from people due to having anxiety and depression,had a reaction to antidepressants which caused months of agitation and caused muscle spasms and ticks.I avoided people and still do due to the impact and shame of mental illness.As stated on these forums had one neighbour telling me to "suck it up".I cannot tell you how angry I've been with the world and how I wish I had a physical illness because I wouldn't feel the shame I feel due to the stigma and non acceptance of mental illness in society.As chatted on this forum for example,the stigma of having a mental illness in the workplace and how people have to cover it up to survive.You will never change the ignorance,it will always be there like bullying in the schools and workplace. Yes societal values are changing but in regards to mental illness,the stigma will always be there due to a combination of many things including shame,and ignorance.

@NikNik

I have found that there is little programming on mental health on the mainstream channels like 7,9.10, etc. The programmes or talk about mental illness are normally on ABC or SBS and they are limited.

Mental Health Week is effective to a degree because it highlights for one week the cause. Normally when you hear news of mental health it generally comes in bad tones or because a footy star has "problems or issues". There are rarely any "good" stories of mental health or how someone has been in recovery.

If you are the general public, very few would know that it is Mental Health Week. I know because I am a speaker and go to events.

If you could change one misconception about mental illness, what would it be?

That I am not incompetent with my life. I have feelings like everyone else. I can do the same things like everyone else. I just have a few limitations on what I do.