Mental illness...the new leprosy.

Unfortunately, mental healthcare is still viewed by many in our society as Freudian based hogwash. This is not to bash the theories that resulted in a fervent effort by researchers to prove or disprove them, because we now have more and more evidence based treatments for mental illness and relationship struggles. Mental health care is now more and more evidence based. Most therapists seek out evidence based practices and therapy has been proven helpful in preventing violence; to the same level as those who do not suffer from mental illness.
There is such a stigma against not only mental illness, but in seeking treatment for mental illness or even relationship struggles; that if you need therapy you are weak, crazy, psycho, sociopathic, nuts, a drunk or a junkie, and just clearly less human. Because many do not understand mental illness they’d prefer to shun them to a desolate island, like lepers.
I was one who did not understand. I grew up with many family members who struggled with depression. I was always the optimist, but instead of shunning them I chose to learn about mental illness so I could understand it better. Now, as a Marriage and family Therapist, I see that their weakness is not just the illness they have. Their weakness is not feeling safe enough in our society to seek help or following through with therapy. Seeking help is embarrassing to many and shows vulnerability they often can’t handle. Those suffering from depression don’t seek help, so they take their own lives. Spouses refuse therapy and so eventually divorce, leaving the children to deal with the aftermath in their adulthood when their relationships struggle. Teens with Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder commit crimes because parents are too proud to say they need help, which does exist! If we can rid our society of the stigma associated with seeking help for mental illness we can surely decrease the ramifications that come with a lack of mental health care.
Mental health treatment today is not hogwash. There is evidence that therapy and other mental health treatments do work! For my clients, part of my job is to help them find the strength to seek out and continue care. I am committed to helping diminish the stigmas against mental illness and seeking help in my community! I hope you might all do the same. And what you don’t know…learn about!