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Update 7/5/05
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• Healthy eating doesn’t have to include meat
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Many don’t know mental illness treatable, beatable

Tova Black-Durant’s prognosis could not have looked much worse. A psychiatrist told the Columbus teen-ager’s parents that her bipolar disorder, diagnosed in seventh grade, would keep her from having a future.

“He said I probably would not graduate from high school. My parents would have to care for me the rest of my life, depressed, doped up, eczema covering most of my body, with no self-esteem.”

Tova’s journey through middle and high school held more than the usual teen-age ups and downs. She had frightening bouts with depression, at times felt consumed by her illness. But she also found support from teachers and other staff. She played basketball and made good grades. In 2002, she graduated with her class and was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Tova told her story at an Ohio Legislative Forum on Mental Health and School Success, held in October 2003, and she was not alone. Other teens and parents told similar stories of illness, coping and recovery. In fact, studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better and many recover completely.

This is not widely known, however. The final report of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health found that many Americans don’t know that mental illnesses can be treated and that recovery is possible.

Unfortunately, many people with serious mental illnesses do not seek or receive treatment for a number of reasons; in 2002 fewer than half of adults with serious mental illnesses received treatment. The common reasons people do not seek treatment include cost, fear, not knowing where to go for services, and concern about confidentiality and the opinions of neighbors and community. This fear of what people may think — the stigma that surrounds mental illness — is a serious barrier to treatment and recovery.

There are many myths about mental illnesses that foster stigma:

• Myth: Mental illnesses are not common. On the contrary, they are very common. Nearly every family in America is affected, according to the same report.

• Myth: People with mental illnesses can’t hold jobs. Not true. Many people with mental illnesses are productive employees, business owners and contributing members of their communities.

• Myth: There is nothing you can do about a mental illness. In reality, there are more new treatments and community supports than ever before, and even more are on the horizon.

• Myth: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable. In reality, the vast majority of people with mental illnesses are no more violent than anyone else.

What can people do about stigma? When it comes to jobs and housing, laws protect people with mental illnesses. But there are also simple steps that everyone can take, such as thinking about the words they use.

“Labels contribute to stigma,” said Charles G. Curie, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Terms like crazy, schizo or psycho demean and devalue the individual.”

Labeling people by their illness is also damaging, Curie said. For instance, instead of saying, “He’s a schizophrenic,” say, “He has schizophrenia.”

Curie emphasized people should not let stigma keep them from seeking help if they need it. “Look in your phone book for mental health services,” he said. “And remember your own health care provider, clergy or friends may know of resources.” SAMHSA also offers a toll-free number, (800) 789-2647 (English/Spanish) and (866) 889-2647 (TDD), for information on stigma and mental illnesses, including local referrals.

This article is part of the Elimination of Barriers Initiative, a new federal initiative sponsored by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services that aims to break down the barriers that keep people from seeking treatment. For more information call SAMHSA’s toll-free number or visit www.allmentalhealth.samhsa.gov.
Miriam Keith is community education coordinator of the Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board.

Miriam Keith is community education coordinator of the Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board.