Would you tell a person with a broken leg to go out and run a marathon? Would you ask someone with pneumonia to just work through it? You probably would not. But, this is what we often ask of those suffering through mental illness.
Since we often treat these people as if they can just “get over” their condition, we very often subject them to social stigma. Stigma occurs when someone is made to feel different or not normal for a quality they possess, such as calling someone with a mental illness crazy or weird.
Even though we cannot see mental illnesses as easily as other illnesses when someone is just walking around, they hurt our community’s just as much as physical injuries and illnesses. Despite the fact that over 40 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness, we as a society do not speak about it enough, or work hard enough to reduce its stigmatization.
When the Centers for Disease Control surveyed people about their views on mental illness, the majority thought that seeking help would be good for the mentally ill. However, only one in four surveyed who have a mental illness actually felt that the support they had available was helpful.
This disparity isn’t fair to anyone suffering through mental illness. Gaps like this are what lead to the high rates of suicide amongst the mentally ill. For their sake, we must end the stigma toward mental illness. This starts with you — if you know someone suffering from mental illness, reach out to him or her. Open, honest communication can be the first step on the path to mental wellness.
Mental illness is a huge problem throughout the country, but it is especially concerning here in Indiana. On average, one person commits suicide every 9 hours in Indiana. According to Kids Count, Indiana teens rank third in the country in reports of suicidal thoughts and are second in attempts.
Suicide is the most notorious result of mental illness — 90 percent of those who commit suicide have one or more mental disorders. Studies show that four in five teens who attempt suicide display recognizable symptoms before the fact. If we can become better at recognizing those symptoms, we can truly save lives.
One particular tool that has been helpful in Montgomery County is QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training. The QPR Institute provides training and resources to recognize the warning signs for mental illness and suicide, and how to respond and offer hope to those in that situation.
Just as we learn the symptoms of a heart attack, we should learn the symptoms of mental illness. Below are a few key signs that someone may be suffering from a mental illness:
• His or her personality changes
• He or she becomes easily agitated,
• He or she begins to withdraw from friends and family
• He or she stops maintaining a typical level of personal care
• He or she loses hope
Someone could be suffering from a mental illness if they consistently display any number of these symptoms. If you see this in someone you care about — or even yourself — it’s time to act.
It does not take much to act and make a difference in someone’s life — it can be as simple as a conversation. When someone knows their suffering is recognized and they are supported, they can much more easily begin to improve their mental health. If you see that someone close to you is suffering, or if you are suffering yourself, please reach out. It might just be the best thing you can do for that person.
Ben Elliott is a member of the class of ’18 at Wabash College. He is an intern with the Montgomery County Health Department.
