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I believe illnesses such as Schizophrenia should be educated where possible, e.g, in schools, to get people to understand. If you do not already know it is not a split personality.

2006-08-19 14:30:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health Mental Health

12 answers

I think the answer to this question lies in mutual respect and responsibility. The wider community has a responsibility to accept and aknowledge the fact that those with mental illness are not always dangerous psychopaths, but instead just people who have problems and need our support rather than pity and fear. The responsiblility of those with mental health problems is to keep up good engagement with mental health services, continue to take their medication when outside of hospital and to make all effort to learn about their illness and their own personal relapse signature. If everyone made the effort to educate themselves about what mental illness means to a person and their communinty, one would hope the the stigma would reduce. Also, perhaps more patients outside of hospital would be more eager to engage with services if they did not feel embarrassed and ashamed to be seen to do so. In addition, I agree that this should be taught in schools, along side the fact that much research has suggested that smoking large amounts of canabis as a young teenager, while the brain is still developing, can be a direct trigger for illnesses such as schizoprenia. Annecdotally, around seventy percent of the people with schizoprenia whom I have met have taken drugs regularly, many since teenagehood.

2006-08-19 15:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by Pretty Tough Girl 3 · 2 0

I think there's still a certain degree of taboo surrounding mental illness,despite more recent attempts to bring conditions such as depression to the wider public's attention.The problem is the fear surrounding the whole issue-not surprising given you only ever hear about such things on the news,when a 'paranoid schizophrenic' has been reported to have attacked or killed someone.

I also think there's danger of people with mental health problems segregating themselves from society at large by forming numerous support groups etc...I think this trend just reinforces the idea that we're different from everyone else.It can become quite insular aswell.Having said that,support groups are valuable,and a lifeline to many people.

What i do is stay clear from mental health sites...I've found them to be quite depressing.I've tried to find acceptance by using non-mental health sites that interest me,and when i get to know people,mentioning the problems that i have-that is,if i have to explain why i'm unable to work etc.

I'm still trying to do this.It's very hard at times,but you will find some people that try to understand and accept you for who you are.

2006-08-19 22:22:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 2 0

It shocks me how little people know about mental illness. Even some of the clients I care for come to our unit with little, or no knowledge of their condition, despite suffering for a couple of years!
I think the media could be more productive in changing peoples views of mental illness. I've been Nursing for 7 years, and not once met someone carrying an Axe or any other weapon!! Of this does happen, but in comparison to general domestic violence, mentally ill people are statistically low risk to others.
Maybe Schools could teach children more about this, in particular the risks of Cannabis increasing the chances of becoming Psychotic.
Keep up the good work!!

2006-08-20 04:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by Fluke 5 · 0 0

It's a rare person that hasn't suffered some for of mental illness in their life, even if it's only minor stress or depression. We really need to break the taboo on talking about it.

Schools are definately the place to start challenging the idea that you're either 'normal' or 'mad'. Schools are so big on offering counselling at the drop of hat it would be easy to widen the discussion of why this is needed. Leading onto mental issues in general.

I say 'easy', but of course it would require are-written school curriculum...

2006-08-20 03:11:40 · answer #4 · answered by salvationcity 4 · 1 0

To educate, for people to understand that mental illness is many times genetic or caused by some past trauma. The mind is so complex and you just never know what a person may have experienced in their life that caused a mental illness.

2006-08-19 23:12:03 · answer #5 · answered by Jude Bounds 2 · 2 0

By getting out there and doing normal stuff with all kinds of people. I do a quiz every sunday with people I've not known that long, but when I had a psychotic episode and got really ill everyone was really supportive and kind, simply because they knew me as a person and knew that being as I was at the time was not my fault and not very nice. It's just a matter of people seeing you as a person instead of an illness.

2006-08-20 05:55:43 · answer #6 · answered by valiumgodmother 2 · 0 0

i agree i think all illness should be taught now a days people still don't like the word mental health but it is coming out more say like ten yrs ago you wouldn't never of known so many stars or normal people suffer from it

2006-08-21 10:13:41 · answer #7 · answered by munchie 6 · 0 0

People fear what they don't understand.

Education is the answer.

For years, people with depression lived in shame, now it is spoken about with greater openness. Much of this has to do with widespread campaigning in terms of tv ads and magazine articles exploring the topic. Celebrities and well-respected individuals coming forth to share their struggles have opened more doors for others to feel comfortable discussing their pain.

When an issue is widely discussed it becomes more understood and meets greater acceptance.

2006-08-19 21:43:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

Hi I fully agree with the respondents who say that education and raising awareness are they key to helping the community understand mental health more. I work in Adolescent mental health services and work with a group of young people who are trying to raise awareness of mental health and trying to get their WORDS AROUND THE WORLD for World Mental Health Day in October 2006. If anyone reading this would like to see the website and help them out please go to http://www.wordsaroundtheworld.tk THANKS TO ANYONE OUT THERE WHO HELPS THEM.

2006-08-20 08:26:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I think it's time we stopped using people and started sharing again. Everyone should have a place in this world and we need to start learning about each other

2006-08-19 21:39:13 · answer #10 · answered by thecharleslloyd 7 · 1 0

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