Mental Illness and Stigma

Perhaps the scariest notion of a mental illness is admitting to someone else we have one. Although it doesn’t change the quality of character, the brightness of a smile, or the honesty in a heart, mental illness holds something we all fear: stigma.

Owning up to all the parts of who we are means facing the possibility of judgment and even abandonment, due to the lack of knowledge and misportrayed stereotypes in the media of mental illness.

In today’s video, we’re talking about how we can face stigma and view our mental illness in positive ways.

1. What stigma do we harbor within ourselves?
   We cannot change other people, but we can change how we respond to them.
   My mental illness is not my weakness but my gift.
2. What about everybody else?
   What we do not know we cannot understand.
   Until it directly affects us it seems like it doesn’t involve us.
   Our best weapon against ignorance and judgment is love and our willingness to share our story.
   Help them understand.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Gandhi

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Abigail Oldham

Abigail is an acting major at Ball State University and a future art therapist. Through recovery from her own eating disorder and struggles from bi-polar and depression, she strives to empower and uplift others through her art as an actor, singer/songwriter, and writer. She is a contributor to our faith column.