Mental Illness: Turning Stigma Into Compassion

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September 4, 2017

a project of ServiceSpace

The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too.

- Vincent Van Gogh -

Mental Illness: Turning Stigma Into Compassion

In this interview international expert on developmental psychopathy Stephen Hinshaw discusses his book "Another Kind of Madness: A Journey through the Stigma and Hope of Mental Illness". Dr. Hinshaw grew up in a family where his father suffered from severe bouts of psychosis, sometimes requiring hospitalization, in turn affecting his own mental health. Having experience on both sides of the issue of mental health, Hinshaw has come to recognize that there is a stigma still attached to mental illness, which not only affects a patient's ability to seek help, but also prevents sufficient training for mental health professionals, and makes treatments less frequently available. Although we have come a very long way in the last two centuries, there is still a stigma in society that encourages an "us vs. them" mentality -- rather than seeing each other as human beings who all struggle sometimes. "I believe that humanization is the ultimate 'cure' for stigma," says Hinshaw. { read more }

Be The Change

Treatment can be very effective in both children and adults who suffer from mental illness. But equally important is knowing that they have the support and understanding of friends, family, and co-workers. If you or someone you know struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, help is available through the National Alliance on Mental Illness website. Everyone can also take the Stigmafree Pledge and help raise awareness to see the person, not the illness. Let's work together to bring mental illness out of the shadows. { more }

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