The stigma associated with mental illness in this country has to be eliminated!  The discrimination... the bigotry...the name-calling..."nut-cake" "crackpot" has to stop!   The fear of getting fired in this country from a job, because the employee seeks mental health care, is a shame!   Yet, another black eye for this country!

stigma: (definition); shame or social disgrace;

"We choose our sorrows and joys long before we experience them."  Kahil Gibron

From: Depression.com:  Depression is a serious medical condition which can lead to the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.  Although most people who are depressed do not kill themselves, untreated depression can increase the risk of possible suicide.  Whether or not they intend to act on these thoughts.  Severely depressed people often do not have the energy to harm themselves, but it is when depression lifts, and they can gain increased energy, that they may be more likely to attempt suicide!

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I saw a story on the news, where a young man about 21 years old, who was in college, was having problems with himself, and suicidal thoughts kept entering his mind, etc.  He was scared, as anyone would be, so he went to get help from a local mental health center.  When university officials found out about this...the young man was expelled from the university!

This action by school officials is a disgrace!  The story went on to say that the young man was going to sue the university...as well he should!  This type of behavior by university officials (or anyone else) is not acceptable!  We cannot have another Virginia Tech in this country...and young people have to get the help they need, and when they need it! 

From: Psychology Information Online.com: Impact from depression causes tremendous emotional pain; disrupts lives of millions of people; adversely affects the lives of families and friends; reduces work production and absenteeism; has a negative impact on the economy...costing an estimated 44 billion dollars per year! 

"Depression is the inability to construct a future."  Rollo May

I have a brother, Ricky, who is an alcoholic and was spending time at the University of New Mexico Mental Health Center getting care, etc.  One day, my mother and I went to visit Ricky, and as we sat in the lobby waiting to see him, we heard a lot of commotion outside!  There were about six people in the group entering the Mental Health Center, including three policemen pushing and shoving, and who were struggling to bring in this elderly couple about 70 years old!

Screaming, yelling and crying...the elderly couple was not easy to handle by the police, and they took the elderly couple, by force, into the back of the building someplace!  My mother and I looked at each other in amazment!  Why were the police bringing this elderly couple into the Mental Health Center?  When the nurse came by to take us back to see Ricky, I asked her what had happened to the elderly couple.

The nurse told me that the house of the elderly couple had burned to the ground...and if that wasn't enough...their two grandchildren perished in the fire, too!  Can there be a catastrophe greater than this?  We can all relate to this, because we all live in a house or apartment and this can happen to any of us, and our lives would be changed in minutes!  One can only imagine how the elderly couple sank into depression, and they could have been a harm to themselves or to others, and that's probably why the police brought them in and to get medication, etc. 

From: American Psychological Association:  Some people with depression try to harm themselves in the mistaken belief that how they are feeling will never change.  Depression is a major cause of disability in the United States and world-wide.

"Depression is noursihed by a lifetime of ungrieved and unforgiving hurts."  Penelope Sweet

But, depression is not just for the risk of suicide.  It is for other risk factors and illnesses as well.  For example;

From: Depression Resource Center.org:   Research over the past two decades has shown that depression and heart disease are common companions, and what is worse...one can lead to the other!  It appears now that depression is an important risk factor for heart disease along with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

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During the past decade or so, I have been laid off from six jobs, for legitimate reasons like companies closing; defense cuts; down-sizing and so forth.  I have never lost a job because I was fired or for an attitude problem or poor attendence, etc.  But, during this awful time in my life, I have suffered from depression and didn't know it!  After I educated myself...I could take the necessary medication to help me cope, etc. 

"When you neighbor loses his job...it's a recession...and when you lose YOUR job...it's a depression!"  Harry Truman

In raising awareness...American's have to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness, and everyone has to do their part, etc.  Parents have to teach their kids not to poke fun or tease others for any reason...as others may be having trouble coping!  If the Golden Rule was ever applicable...it applies here!  Do unto others...as you would have them do unto you! 

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