World Mental Health Day

gingerbeard · Post by **gingerbeard** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:27 pm

If the title hasn't put you off then I hope that you will spare the time to reflect.

I work in mental health and have done for the last 14 years. I became involved as a result of suffering depression for the last 43 years. Those of you good at maths and who know my age will be able to work out that the depression started when I was 11.

I know that I am not the only OB to suffer mental health problems as a result of school and I would just like you to reflect on those less fortunate than you who suffer from mental distress, OB's or others.

Mental illness is the "cinderella" of charities and health, just try standing on a street corner with a MIND collecting tin watching everyone doing everything they can to avoid you, while they queue to deposit money in Guide Dogs or Cancer Research tins.

So just for one day think of the 450 million people worldwide suffering from mental or behavioral disorder .

All of you will be touched by mental distress, the odds of it happening to you are 1 in 4 , to someone you know odds on.

I won't apologise for such a serious post it is something about which I feel very strongly.

Thank you for reading through to the end.

Katharine · Post by **Katharine** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:32 pm

Well said - it really is a Cinderella. I have a son (32) suffering from depression - his started a lot later than yours. While he is with us, he can cope, but cannot cope alone. This is something we have all had to learn to live with.

Mid A 15 · Post by **Mid A 15** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:35 pm

Excellent post gingerbeard.

As a layman I would have thought one of the biggest problems you encounter in your profession is how to help people overcome the "stigma" attached to Mental Health problems.

Some people have the perception that Mentally ill = Norman Bates or Mrs Rochester!

gingerbeard · Post by **gingerbeard** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:32 pm

Mid A 15 wrote:Excellent post gingerbeard.

As a layman I would have thought one of the biggest problems you encounter in your profession is how to help people overcome the "stigma" attached to Mental Health problems.

Some people have the perception that Mentally ill = Norman Bates or Mrs Rochester!

Stigma and discrimination the both, and it all stems from fear and ignorance.

I cannot believe that it is not covered in the school curiculum, I really thought that citizenship would encompass such an important subject.

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:48 pm

A verry good thread Gingerbread.

Until ill health forced an early retirement, Jan was a project worker, working mainly with schizophrenics which she found draining but very rewarding work.

gingerbeard · Post by **gingerbeard** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:26 pm

J.R. wrote:A verry good thread Gingerbread.

Run, run, fast as you can! Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!!!