I just came across an article on Yahoo News called "Kids with mental illness often rejected socially."

Question

Do you agree with some parents of this article who say kids that do not want their kids to socialize with depressed, or kids with ADHD?

Answer 1

No, I think kids with those types of mental illness often seclude themselves and are not particularly interested in socializing. I have never discouraged my children from developing their own friendships, and you should see some of the characters they've brought home. It's sad, but a few parents have called and thanked me because one of my children took an interest in their child, would not allow others to pick on the kid, or in one case, my daughter befriended a girl who had moved here from New York with severe depression and had been hospitalized for "cutting." The marks on the girl's arm just made me want to cry. Anyhow, the mom was so thankful my family accepted her as "just a normal kid" and really helped in the girl's overcoming depression and stop hurting herself (in addition to therapy, of course.)
I am not at all a supporter of Hillary Clinton, but she is right about "it takes a village." My house is constantly full of OPC's (other people's children) and I always make sure to have extra food, snacks and soda or juice on hand. I can't
remember the last time we had a true "family" dinner because at least one other child (usually 2 or 3) are always eating with us.
It's not all a bed of roses. We've had the pot-smoking incidents, kids who stole things, etc., but they are always confronted with their behavior, I call their parents, and let them know they are still welcome in my home provided they live/act by my rules. It drives my hubby crazy sometimes that a bunch of kids are always here, but at least I know where my children are, pretty much what they're doing, and the OPC's wouldn't keep coming here if it wasn't a warm and loving environment.
I think the parents of the kids with the mental illness need to take more responsibility and participate in the kid's life instead of just being an observer. I know it's hard because, as I stated earlier, those kids don't seem to want to socialize but I am telling you that I would take up skydiving if that was an activity my child wanted to participate in to give him or her the social benefits of that activity and mental stimulation it provided.
(sorry--i don't usually give such long answers. maybe you touched a nerve?)

Answer 2

Practicing the religious aspects of Wicca, or other Pagan traditions, can be very healing for someone suffering from depression or other mental illnesses. I would have no problem celebrating a Sabbat with someone who had a mental illness. They can celebrate the seasons, commune with the Gods, no problem. And the loving support of a spiritual community, such as a Coven, Lodge, or Grove, can go a long way. However, the Magickal and initiatory practice is quite different, and this goes for all Neopagan and Occult traditions, not just Wicca. It would really depend on what their mental illness was, their attitude towards the practice at the outset, and the support of their therapist. Magick demands realistic expectations, and an ability to keep your perspective and maintain your grasp on reality. The path of the Initiate is a deeply psychological process. It demands a lot of personal work, a lot of looking within and facing things about ourselves we may never want to face, facing our personal Shadow. The goal is greater wholeness, and the realization of your True Self, emotional and psychological wholeness and balance. This is a very powerful, very healing process. But it is very demanding, and it isn't for everyone. Without the proper guidance, if you loose your perspective, an otherwise healthy person could go a little nutty in the process. In some Occult/Magickal traditions, the initiate is encouraged to undergo psychoanalysis as part of their Magickal education. So, if I person has a severe mental illness -- such as schizophrenia -- I would not recommend initiation or deep magickal study. At least, not without the support and guidance of a licensed, qualified, Pagan-friendly therapist.

Answer 3

I’ve got members of my family who were diagnosed with ADHD. I find nothing wrong with them, they just tend to move around a little more then other people and need more to do physically. You channel their energy into things like sports, or painting, or other physical activities and they do very well.

I’ve thought about this often, about the stigmatisms put on children who are a little “different”. My son is a little slower socially then others, but he is just as smart as everyone else. Does well in school, just has a harder time making friends then others do. He was held back in kindergarten because of it.

I think it’s become socially unacceptable to be different anymore. A child has too much energy and they give him a pill. Instead of finding new, and better ways of teaching the youth in ways that will help them the best they shove them all into little boxes and make them conform…

People are different, and our children should learn early on that just because they are different it does not mean there is anything wrong with them.

Answer 4

Working in the mental health field myself, I see the clients I work with often ostrasized because of their illness. Children can be so cruel, and will do mean things to anyone who is different than they are. I am also a parent of an emotionally disabled child. Life is tough for kids now adays.

Answer 5

I do not agree with the fact that parents segregate the mentally different. Why? separating them minimizes the chances of them to learn how to socialize and work with people making them even further segregated from society. My parents were like this. They never wanted me to befriend kids like this. I was aloud to talk to them, but not be friends with them. Go figure. The later on found out that I had a disibility (when I was 16). However they still continued with their beliefs.

Answer 6

As a parent of a child with a metal illness, it is hard to find understanding people in the community for her to socialize with. I do not agree with how the schools will not help address certain issues such as bullying and teasing. Due to the privacy act the school system can not even put me in touch other school age students that share the same disabilities as my daugther.

Answer 7

Fact! Parents want their children to be a reflection of the saying ... " You are the company yoy keep. " It's hard to determine which are the most crule, children or parents. Kids are terribly crule to each other, especially if there is some different in a child. Be it red hair to the childs parents standing in the community. It's a sad fact.

Answer 8

I dont believe that all mental illnesses restrict you socially because alot of my friends have adhd and add they just but they can control their actions to a certain extent so their not on complete 24 hyper shi*t and stuff

Answer 9

There is nothing more sad to see than to see your kid who has a ADHD try to make Friends and fail. Kids can be so mean to them which results in isolation, which results in other mental illnesses such as "severe depressive disorder". All I can say is try to seek help for him/her as soon as you can...

Answer 10

I think this society is too quick to "label everyone" and who are we to judge someone by some acronym? People should be assessed by their own merit when it comes to kids and their relationships with each other; leave them alone to determine who should be in their friend list.