Today is the day that marks the end of "Mental Illness Awareness Week." What is Mental Illness Awareness Week anyway? In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first week of October as "Mental Illness Awareness Week" (MIAW) in recognition of National Alliance of Mental Illnesses efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Since 1990, mental health advocates across the country have joined together during the first week of October to celebrate.
Several issues come to mind during mental health week. Real recovery from mental illness requires community action, understanding and teamwork. Recovery is possible because of improved science, better community supports and reduced stigma. But significant barriers still exist. Services are at risk, insurance can be insufficient and stigma, though less today than when MIAW was founded, is still prevalent.
Several issues come to mind during mental health week. Real recovery from mental illness requires community action, understanding and teamwork. Recovery is possible because of improved science, better community supports and reduced stigma. But significant barriers still exist. Services are at risk, insurance can be insufficient and stigma, though less today than when MIAW was founded, is still prevalent.
During mental illness week we are reminded of our vulnerability and the vulnerability of those we care for. There was a time when the concept of mental illness had no impact on me but because of stress and circumstance I understand. Hypomanic for a lifetime, Roman philosopher "Seneca" expresses it perfectly for me, "In the willing, Destiny guides them; the unwilling, Destiny drags them." Although I have been dragged, in the end, I have been given enough fervor to cope.
There has never been such an explosion of information regarding bipolar disorder but is it helping? Some people believe that the term bipolar disorder is a psychiatric "buzz" word used as an excuse for bad behavior, if you will. But I don't believe that. I don't believe that a bipolar patient desires to be bad, do you? I believe those who are purposely bad do it in spite of their illness and not because of it. Certainly episodic periods can bring on psychosis and in psychosis events can occur.
Unfortunately, there will be a shadow cast upon mankind as long as we reject each others color, illness, weight, physical attributes, language, religion, education and more. So do we have the power to control our destiny? Leo F. Buscaglia quotes, "I believe that you control your destiny, that you can be what you want to be. You can also stop and say, 'No, I won't do it, I won't behave his way anymore. I'm lonely and I need people around me, maybe I have to change my methods of behaving,' and then you do it."
This last day of "Mental Health Awareness Week" I challenge you my friends. Let's work to prevent stigma in our hearts. And if we can do it, lets tell others of the challenge. Start with what is important to you and keep mental illness in mind. Mental illness is in everyone's family, it touches your friends, it may affect your grandchildren, co-workers, your business.
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: "The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve." Albert Schweitzer.
Unfortunately, there will be a shadow cast upon mankind as long as we reject each others color, illness, weight, physical attributes, language, religion, education and more. So do we have the power to control our destiny? Leo F. Buscaglia quotes, "I believe that you control your destiny, that you can be what you want to be. You can also stop and say, 'No, I won't do it, I won't behave his way anymore. I'm lonely and I need people around me, maybe I have to change my methods of behaving,' and then you do it."
This last day of "Mental Health Awareness Week" I challenge you my friends. Let's work to prevent stigma in our hearts. And if we can do it, lets tell others of the challenge. Start with what is important to you and keep mental illness in mind. Mental illness is in everyone's family, it touches your friends, it may affect your grandchildren, co-workers, your business.
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: "The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve." Albert Schweitzer.
