Sometimes laughter is not the best medicine

Chances are you’d never think of making fun of a young mother for having breast cancer. You probably can’t imagine mocking a grandfather for fighting heart disease or poking fun at a 9-year-old child for coping with diabetes. It’s simply not socially acceptable to ridicule people who are struggling with serious health problems. And, yet, on any given day, you can turn on your TV and find a popular sitcom or well-liked movie where individuals with mental illnesses are cast as the punch line for a myriad of jokes.

So, why is it OK to laugh at people with mental illnesses?

The answer is simple–it’s not OK. Insensitive remarks on TV or in real life perpetuate the stigma associated with having a mental illness.

“Mental illness is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of sickness in this country and worldwide,” said ReDiscover CEO and President Alan Flory. “The public readily understands that heart disease is a serious illness that impacts the heart – but when it comes to mental illness, there is often huge confusion and an incredible lack of understanding about the real people and the terrible hardships they are struggling to survive. Mental illnesses are serious medical conditions that physically impact the brain.”

The biggest misunderstanding may revolve around the word ‘mental.’ For decades the phrase ‘mental illness’ has been misunderstood to mean that the disease is ‘all in your head’ and is perhaps caused by your own choices or actions. 

 

“We still run across students who have been told by adults or others that a mental health disorder means that ‘you’re just being weak’ or that ‘you lack some character strength,’” said Marsha Palmer-Thelwell, a program manager and licensed clinical social worker for ReDiscover’s School and Community Services. “No one would ever suggest that willpower alone could cure cancer, diabetes, and heart disease; but there is still a prevailing misconception among many people that if you have a mental illness you should be able to just ‘get over it’ whenever you decide that you want to. That myth is part of the stigma of mental illness.”

Training people how to cope with common misunderstandings about mental illness is important to recovery. Insensitive TV shows or insulting advertisements can make it more difficult for an individual with a mental illness to cope with getting treatment for the illness.

According to the Surgeon General’s Report, one in 10 young Americans suffer from some sort of mental health problem, but only 20 percent are getting treatment for it. For anyone with a mental illness, stigma can stop them from seeking help. In some cases, the consequences of the stigma can be as distressing as the illness itself. Some of the most damaging effects of stigma include:

• Trying to pretend nothing is wrong
• Refusal to seek treatment
• Work problems or discrimination
• Difficulty finding housing
• Being subjected to physical violence or harassment
• Inadequate health insurance coverage of mental illnesses

 

“Mental illness is beginning to be more widely understood as a genuine medical condition,” said Flory. “The old misconception that a family or an individual is to blame for a mental illness is vanishing. That means that the field of mental health is headed toward the beginning of a new era. We are at a monumental place in history where people with mental illness can start to get the same kind of respect, care, and services as other people who have a disability.”

Remember, if you have a mental illness, effective treatments are available. You can learn to manage symptoms of mental illness and find ways to participate in a network of support. ReDiscover, and other community mental health agencies, offer services for individuals and their families and can help connect caring individuals to community advocacy.

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Robin Blakely, a regular columnist for the Journal and Lee’s Summit resident, manages the speakers bureau for ReDiscover, a community mental health agency serving Lee’s Summit and all of Eastern Jackson County.

What A Difference a Friend Makes for Mental Wellness

By Robin Blakely

Good mental health is just as important as good physical health.  But, how do you insure that you get on—and stay on—the wellness track for both? Experts say you need to make sure you get nutritious food, regular exercise, a good night’s sleep, and, of course, a daily recommended allowance of friendship. 

Why does friendship matter? “Relationships are crucial to healthy well being,” said Kerri Gray, a licensed marriage and family therapist at ReDiscover. ”Being connected to others and having your own support network is vital.  Having someone to talk to about the challenges you face or just having a friend to laugh and have fun with—whatever your age—is crucial to personal wellness. No one wants to feel alone.”

Nobody wants to feel like they are the only person in the world going through a difficult set of circumstances, either. If you feel intensely alone or deeply disconnected,  you may be at risk for depression or feelings of hopelessness.  A friend can help you feel more connected, hopeful, and less lonely.

“Friends simply make life worthwhile,” said, Marsha Palmer-Thelwell, a Program Manager and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for ReDiscover’s School & Community Services. “Friends increase your enjoyment of life and they can relieve feelings of loneliness and stress. The best way to get a friend is to be one.  I think it helps to have shared interests, mutual trust, and the willingness to keep in touch in busy, happy times as well as in busy, needy times.”

Three friendly reminders about healthy friendships

1. Have fun.   According to Palmer-Thelwell, “Whether it’s exploring music, art, gardening, sports, or garage sale shopping, friends need to check out new things together. The more interests you have, the more opportunities you have to build strong friendships and happy memories. It’s great to have a friend to talk about your troubles with, but it’s important that you also have fun, sharing laughs and interesting activities together.”  |

2.  Keep personal information confidential. Friends share personal information, so it’s critical that you have a mutual understanding that you will not gossip or share private information about each other with other people.

3.  Stay in touch. Even when things are going well, stay in contact with people you care about. You can make new friends or keep your friendships strong by calling, sending a note, or writing an e-mail. Obviously, friendships have different levels of depth; some are close while some are more on the surface—but all friendships need attention and care.

In crisis?  Reach out to a friend. ReDiscover CEO and President Alan Flory said,  “Close friends are often the first people we call when we need help dealing with a broken bone or a scary diagnosis of a physical condition like diabetes or cancer.  When someone is dealing with a mental illness, they, too, are most likely to reach out first to a close friend or relative. Mental illnesses affect almost every family in America. A friend can be instrumental in the recovery process by simply doing what friends do naturally— being supportive and sharing a message of hope. Science has shown us again and again that hope plays an integral role in an individual’s recovery.  Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely. Friends make all the difference in sickness and in good health.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with loneliness, depression, or anxiety, help is available.  ReDiscover and other community mental health agencies provide services to help adults, children, and entire families. You can learn ways to make friends, reconnect with people you care about, and work toward making improvements that can change your life.