“Pretending it doesn’t exist won’t make it go away.”
-Tynee` Sims
I was good at pretending it wasn't there...I guess it would be easier to tell people my mom was
diagnosed with cancer, or suffered from congestive heart failure. People can
understand cancer. Both cancer and heart disease are damn near celebrated with
the many campaigns, fund raising walks and clothing paraphernalia to don. But I never like to disclose the fact that my
mother had been diagnosed as the following: schizophrenic, manic depressive,
bi-polar and mentally ill to name a few. But in reality, my mother actually
suffered with DEPRESSION. Maybe in a few
years the powers that be will come up with even more labels to make people like
my mom feel isolated from society. Fingers crossed!
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| My beautiful Mother Beverly She didn't allow Mental Illness to Stop her Shine! |
But, really I never knew what to say to people when my mom
had an “episode”. Episode is another term we used to describe what my mother
was experiencing when she was in a manic-depressive state. I never wanted to
share with the world that my Momma was experiencing a psychotic break and her
mind decided to drift off and take an extended vacation at an all-expense paid
state funded, bottom of the line treatment facility, better known as a psych
ward of a hospital. I rarely ever shared anything concerning my Mother’s mental
illness, not even my own feelings. I used to just be like, “she’s sick” or “say
a prayer for my Momma.” In all honesty I think I was embarrassed to discuss my
mother’s condition. Somehow I felt like I would get judged for an illness that
medication could not fix. An uncontrollable illness that I do not suffer from,
but often makes me become sorely afraid that someday I may be diagnosed with.
According to Mental Health America, Most
families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental
illness. It can be physically and emotionally trying, and can make us feel
vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others.
Mental Health America also reports that: Most people
believe that mental disorders are rare and “happen to someone else." An
estimated 54 million Americans suffer
from some form of mental disorder in a given year. Mental illness is
not always easily detected. It’s not always the person with disheveled clothes
that has wandering crazy eyes, and is talking out the side of their neck.
Sometimes it’s the sweet girl that constantly wears a smile, or the
misunderstood kid that has been labeled as a misfit; or maybe it’s the real
popular dude who’s always rocking the latest gear. Perhaps it’s the lady that
lives down the street whose family no longer comes to visit. It seems as though
people are more concerned with the outward appearance of others rather than be
concerned with their mental state.
Since May is Mental Illness Awareness Month, let’s stop the
stigma associated with mental illness. Let’s stop pretending like it’s not
happening. Let’s stop being embarrassed by it. Let’s educate ourselves and love
on those who suffer both silently and openly with mental illness. If you or
someone you love lives with mental illness don’t be afraid to seek professional
help and talk with someone.
