can mentally ill people make a valid contribution to society?

Answer 1

Can someone who suffers from a physical illness make a valid contribution to society? What's the difference? Just because someone has a diagnosis of mental illness does not make them any less of a person than someone suffering from a physical illness. Having worked with people with mental health problems for over 13 years I have found more compassion, insight and rationality than amongst the 'sane' people. As a sufferer of mental health problems, I feel I am still a valuable member of the society, sometimes I just struggle with things, as do MOST people at some time or another

Answer 2

I am, and I do..
For a long time I did not. I was a burden to the world and caught up in issues that I could not begin to comprehend. Admitting my faults, Evaluation, accurate diagnosis, therapy, facing the mountain of denial, and proper medication have been my salvation.
I have a great job and a very decent life. I have found success in a life (and mind) built for failure. 10 years ago I sat in a horrible place because I had systematically thrown my entire life in the dumpster.
Sometimes it is a matter of finding the right kind of help.
Some people can overcome the madness of mental illness. Some people live their entire lives in denial. Some people are terminally mentally ill with no hope for successful reentry into society.
Personal experience would suggest much more than half can and do contribute positively. Most of the rest are treatable if they can find proper treatment. And a similar percentage will remain lost forever. Plenty of institutions are too busy with these people .. some temporary, some permanent. And there are waaay more than too many homeless people with mental illness that have simply run out of options or don't have the means or desire to find help.

Answer 3

I am totally intrigued by your question. Do you really think that mentally ill people may not be able to contribute to society? Of course they can. Everyone has a chance of becoming mentally ill at some point in their lives. A civilized society is one which cares for and values its weaker members.
I have a psychotic illness and life can be hard, but I still go to work (a demanding job) and am raising happy and healthy children. However I live in fear that my illness may be "discovered" and I could lose my job. If society were more tolerant I would not have this fear and would be able to discuss my illness openly knowing I would get the support I need.
We should value all members of our community and look to removing the barriers that prevent full participation in society. If we move away from a medical model of disability this will help!!!

Answer 4

Why do you ask, is it because you think that mentally ill people are just an illness?

Of course mentally ill people can make a VALID contribution to society, there have been many famous people who have had mental illnesses, Churchill had depression and so did Freud, and they have shaped modern society.

Silver Plath had depression but she still wrote "The bell jar."

And I'm sure you will agree that these people where never confined by illness, yes they can make a valid contribution.

Many people in "normal" jobs have high rates of illness and depression etc, and these people still do their jobs, these include teachers Dr's chefs and airline pilot's.

Answer 5

Of course!! there are many types of mental health illness, and more than 50 % of the population will suffer from one or another at some point in their life. The thing about mental health problems is that they are not visible..not like a broken leg or a cut arm, so you never know who is suffering. With the statistics....we all come into contact with someone who has mental illness every single day of our lives, and not even notice!!we are probably all in need of mental health treatment!! Yes,

Answer 6

Yes. Some mental illnesses are even more positively associated with socio-economic success than so called normality (if that's a word.) Manic-depression and Obssesive Compulsive disorder for eg.

For people who are disabled mentally, they contribute by getting a nasty society to slow down and love one another, and help each other out.

Answer 7

Abslutely, though it may not be in the traditional way others do. I happen to work with severely mentally and physically challenged people. Diagnosis range across all spectrums.

Some of the more independant individulas can physically comtribute, by working and volunteering in animal shelters etc, as many do.

Some less independant don't have that ability. Their contribution is different. It's hard to explain, but working with them has made me value what I have. What I am able to do. Here they are struggling to move their own wheelchair, sometimes unable to, and I can walk freely anywhere I want. Pick up my nephew, Go get ice cream. yet we all complain about the struggles we face, and it pales in copmparison. Some of the individuals I work with lived in Letchworth, a facility that is renowned for the abuse it inflicted on developementa;y disabled people. They were hosed down in groups, Force fed or starved, left in their own feces for hours on end. beaten, screamed at, strapped down to beds, over medicated, under-treated medical concerns.Girls unable to roll themselves over, or move their limbs, pregnant from sexual abuse by interns. Horrible things that really happened.

So when I start complaining about having to mow my lawn, I thank God that I can.

Answer 8

Think of the number of talented authors and artists, whose talent stemmed from their mental illness. These people have made valid and long lasting contributions to society.

Answer 9

Of course...and being that the mentally ill make up more of the population than most realize, I would say yes for sure. In fact mental illness affects many people at some time in their life.

Answer 10

Wow what a question some of the great minds of are time were mentally ill. my Dr has posters all over his walls with famous mentally ill people wish i had the memory to remember them all. but some where Einstein, Napoleon, one of those composers either Mozart of Beethoven. and i think Lincoln. People with bipolar disorder tend to be very creative when in a manic episode and do some of their best work. be it art music or just doing their job.