Episode 27: Mental Illness Awareness Week
This past week was Mental Health Awareness Week. It more or less passed with little to no recognition or air time. And this is the problem with Mental Illness in the United States.
Mental health issues only make front page news following a traumatic incident, such as the most recent mass shooting from a few weeks ago, despite the fact that 20% of Americans will suffer from a mental illness at some point in our lives. Following such a traumatic event, everyone talks about the issues with mental illness, not from a perspective of treatment, but from the point of view suggesting that those with mental illness are dangerous.
In this episode of The Mental Breakdown, Drs. Berney and Richard talk about the stigma of mental illness. They review the facts associated with the ways in which our society marginalize mental illness until such a time that a tragedy causes the issues to take center stage. Even then, though, the discussion is not about treatment or prevention, it is politicized and demonized to the point of even more avoidance.
In addition to their discussion on the stigma of mental illness, Drs. Berney and Richard discuss the areas of need, the other topics that merge with mental illness and warrant specific attention.
The first is guns. While they avoid the political punditry, Drs. Berney and Richard have a practical discussion about the issues of guns and the mentally ill.
The second is schools. The public school system is the number one provider of mental health services to children in the United States, yet their are less than adequately trained and are ill-equipped to provide the services so many students need.
The third are the caregivers. Although many with a mental illness receive treatment, it is the parents, loved ones, and caregivers that provide the front line, day-to-day care of the mentally ill. They, too, need support and attention.
After listening, we would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Feel free to write in on Facebook, Twitter, or on our blog!
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