Im still in disbelief that Robin Williams took his own life. I cant wrap my head around suicide and how a person can feel so low that their only option is to leave this world. My heart breaks for his family, it would almost feel like a betrayal, that he didnt tell someone or reach out in some way. People commit suicide everyday, but it takes a celebrity to make people aware. The stigma surrounding depression, addiction and so many other mental health issues has to stop. Its not just the crazy guy on the street corner or the lady talking to herself at McDonalds, its Robin Williams, its Philip Seymore Hoffman, its people like you and me. As a parent I know this first hand, I have a son who battles addiction and its a disease that doesnt discriminate. Im proud of him and who he is, he didnt choose to be an addict anymore than Robin Williams did. Maybe if society becomes more aware and in that more forgiving, more people suffering might come out and ask for help and suicide wont be the only choice....one can only hope :) The Mayo clinics definition - Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait thats thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. Stigma can lead to discrimination. Discrimination may be obvious and direct, such as someone making a negative remark about your mental illness or your treatment. Or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding you because the person assumes you could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to your mental health condition. You may even judge yourself.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:09:50 +0000
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