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27 Sep 2016 08:51 PM
27 Sep 2016 08:51 PM
Flower and Sadgirl everyones time is different.
27 Sep 2016 08:52 PM
27 Sep 2016 08:52 PM
I agree @texnuggett
One thing I will leave you with @Former-Member & @BlueBay - and actually anyone who contributes to these forums - don't underestimate yourselves and what you currently already do to fight stigma.
Posting your own personal experiences in these forums and also responding to other members with support and advice is SMASHING stigma. You are smashing the stigma others are putting on themselves or that they have about certain diagnosis etc.
Don't underestimate the power of disclosure right here 🙂
27 Sep 2016 08:52 PM
27 Sep 2016 08:52 PM
My concern is that there tends to be a trend to reduce stigma for the more "socially acceptable" mental illnesses (Anxiety and Depression) but nothing is done to reduce the stigma for the more socially unacceptable ones that can cause people to appear "weird" or unable to appear normal in social situations (eg:some people with Schizophrenia,Schizoaffective Disorder,Autism, & Bipolar Disorder).
People with Anxiety or Depresssion are often able to hide (relatively) their disorders if they choose as they can "act normal" but some of the more severe people we sometimes see in the street arn't able to appear normal and visibly look lost or confused,or talking to themselves,or shuffling etc and I think more effort should be done to reduce stigma for all types of people with Mental Illnesses not just the more acceptable ones.
I also don't think that Anti-stigma campaigns should be based along the principle that Mental Illness is just another illness (like Diabetes etc) that you just treat and then all is fine because the reality is that for some people there is no effective treatment.
We should encourage people not to stigmatise because it is wrong and hurtful,and not because it is treatable.
27 Sep 2016 08:59 PM
27 Sep 2016 08:59 PM
Absolutely @ivana !
It was great to see you all tonight @BlueBay @Former-Member @Former-Member @ivana @Former-Member
@texnuggett & @CassieSM - I don't think I've "seen you around" the forums before - so it's lovely to meet you 🙂 I hope you both continue to visit the forums.
I'm logging off now - but you're all welcome to continue the conversation.
For those who are new, be sure to check out the Community Guidelines
Night!!
27 Sep 2016 09:00 PM
27 Sep 2016 09:00 PM
27 Sep 2016 09:06 PM
27 Sep 2016 09:06 PM
I agree @Former-Member. I learned so much about mental illness and life when I was in the in the psych ward the first time. For me that was my learning ground and dispelled all my myths about MI. Everyone was so friendly and giving. Mine is not obvious on the outside either and I was greatful for that acceptance.
27 Sep 2016 09:10 PM
27 Sep 2016 09:10 PM
I know you've signed off for now @NikNik but I was wondering if you could please do the webinars and events like this a bit later in future. I've missed the first half every time so far. It means it's also hard to fill out surveys too. I know this is all about me, I'm not sure if anyone else feels the same.
27 Sep 2016 10:16 PM
27 Sep 2016 10:16 PM
28 Sep 2016 08:35 PM
28 Sep 2016 08:35 PM
28 Sep 2016 08:44 PM
28 Sep 2016 08:44 PM
Hey @Former-Member, come over here. We're having a related discussion.
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