World Mental Health Day, 2014 & NAMI Multicultural Action Center

http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/2014/en/

“World Mental Health Day

10 October 2014

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

The theme for 2014 is “Living with schizophrenia”. The focus of the World Health Organization will be living a healthy life with schizophrenia.”

So many encouraging things I’ve been reading this week on mental health awareness. One particular video from Nigeria caught my attention. It is in Pidgin English, but I was still able to get to heart of the message. It was very moving for me to see:

http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/10/10/world-mental-health-day-2014-area-doctor-gbenga-adebayo-attempts-to-demystify-mental-health-disorder-watch/

If you are looking to educate yourself about specific mental illnesses, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has a very insightful page including information on:

“Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder (ADD/ADHD), Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Eating Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Seasonal Affective Disorder, [and] Tourette’s Syndrome.”

And, you can also “find out more about conditions sometimes related to mental illness:

Anosognosia (lack of insight), First Episodes of Psychosis, Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Suicide, [and] Tardive Dyskinesia.”

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness

On this World Mental Health Day, I wanted to spotlight the NAMI Multicultural Action Center. Technically, July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, but this is what I felt in my heart was vital to share today.

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?section=multicultural_support

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Resources&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=55813

“NAMI created the Multicultural Action Center in 2002 to focus attention on system reform to eliminate disparities in mental health care for diverse communities, ensure access to culturally competent services and treatment for all Americans and particularly to help and support people of diverse backgrounds who are affected by serious mental illness.”

This Action Center has many resources and information that can benefit those seeking greater understanding, help, and support. I encourage you to take a look at it, no matter your cultural background.

I will leave you with a few other informative pieces, highlighting both positive and negative mental health issues. All bring more awareness, though, and that is what this day (and week) are about. Please see my other posts concerning mental health under the category of Health on my blog menu.

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article2538647.html

http://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2014/10/05/week-aims-fight-stigma-mental-illness/16789921/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

http://cumberlink.com/news/opinion/editorial/our-view-fight-stigma-of-mental-health-issues/article_6a138382-4da3-11e4-bc1e-07d8284230cf.html

http://www.edmondsun.com/news/lifestyles/article_5393a5fc-4dca-11e4-ae4b-9f89dcefcdc2.html?mode=jqm

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Royal+Ottawa+creates+suicide+research+chair/10273299/story.html

http://www.robesonian.com/news/opinon/50456665/NC-must-reform-its-approach-to-mental-health

http://www.newswest9.com/story/26731693/brookhaven-retreat-observes-mental-illness-awareness-week

http://www.irishexaminer.com/analysis/stigma-of-mental-illness-unfair-and-crude-290239.html

Mental Illness Awareness Week, Mental Illness Facts and Myths, & Cafe 54, Tucson, AZ

It seems like I just wrote upon the subject, but I thought to broach it again as this is Mental Illness Awareness Week and October 10th, World Mental Health Day.

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=mental_illness_awareness_week

“Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 5-11, 2014

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Since then, mental health advocates across the country have joined with others in their communities to sponsor activities, large or small, for public education about mental illness.

MIAW coincides with the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding (Oct. 7) and National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 9.)”

Some facts and myths about mental illness can be found here:

http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/publications/myths_facts.aspx

And here:

http://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/myths-facts/index.html

Why is it so important to know these myths, facts, and dispel the stigma surrounding mental illnesses?

“In this age where technology emerges at rapid pace there remains a baffling amount of misunderstanding about mental illness. The medical science related to diagnosing and treating mental illness is as extensive as the science related to treating diabetes or arthritis. The fact remains that even among educated people, mental illness is often seen as a fault and not a physical health affliction. Stigma about mental illness is predominant and implies that mental illness is a flaw of character. Stigma is harmful because it is an obstacle for many to receive psychiatric treatment and it directly stands in the way of social acceptance.”
(http://www.westlakebayvillageobserver.com/read/2014/09/16/end-stigma-and-create-compassion)

During this week of awareness, I wanted to highlight a wonderful organization right here in Tucson, Arizona:

http://www.cafe54.org

Cafe 54’s mission is “to support individuals recovering from persistent, chronic mental illnesses; to help them regain their ability to move towards their recovery with a focus on reintegration into the community…

[Participant’s in] Cafe 54[‘s] training program have spent months working under the instruction and scrutiny of job coaches at our full service, high quality bistro where all the food is made from scratch, including all entrees, breads, salads, and desserts. Trainees who complete the job training program at Cafe 54 have been taught a variety of jobs and have an understanding of kitchen safety, food safety, knife skills, customer relations, customer service, effective work-place communication, and personal accountability.”

Along with the fabulous cafe (which, by the way, does indeed serve some marvelous food — see my pic above), this community work has an art foundation.

“Café 54 Art Foundation was established to provide and assist individuals recovering from mental illness the opportunity to express themselves through the creative arts. All tips from the Café and the Café’s catering business go to the Art Foundation Fund. This funding is available to any individual who is recovering from mental illness and currently working with a Behavioral Health Program, who shows a desire to express him or herself through visual art.”

There are many things I hope to write on this subject at some point. But, for now, I will leave you with a few articles for your reference. If you would care to read my previous posts on mental health, you can find them here and here.

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/9/15/6140189/fifa-mental-health-research

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/i-will-listen-how-social-media-can-diminish-the-stigma-of-mental-illness/

http://www.thehealthsite.com/news/vandrevala-foundation-to-improve-mental-health-in-india-worlds-suicide-capital/

http://newsok.com/oklahomans-must-move-into-21st-century-in-dealing-with-mental-illness/article/5344880

http://centraljersey.com/articles/2014/10/03/newswire/doc542e187e455f1023533263.txt

http://www.roosevelttorch.com/news/view.php/849627/Stigma-around-mental-illness-needs-to-st

http://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-wellness/taking-action-on-mental-illness-57255

http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/2599474/artworks-on-show-for-mental-health-awareness/

http://psychcentral.com/lib/responding-to-mental-illness-in-your-workforce-following-the-law/0008503

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | Stigma Alerts Archive

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | Stigma Alerts Archive.

If you have read my About Me page, you know that I am a strong advocate for fighting the stigma associated with mental illness. I am not sure I was completely aware of how strong it can be until I found the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Stigmabusters site.

Here are some excerpts from the Stigmabusters Archives (many are no longer listed, so I may post more as I have time):

Voting Rights Victory! Kansas voters have approved an amendment to their state constitution removing a provision that authorized the state legislature to deny the right to vote to anyone living with a mental illness. In fact, the amendment won 63 percent of the vote–a landslide victory. It may be the first time that such a constitutional restriction has been removed through a popular referendum. About 10 years ago, a similar referendum campaign in Maine failed, but that restriction later was found unconstitutional in a landmark federal court decision. The Kansas Mental Health Coalition, which includes NAMI Kansas, has declared that the outcome “sends a strong message that discrimination against people living with mental illness will not be tolerated.” The victory may encourage reform of laws in other states.				NPR Apology Accepted National Public Radio (NPR) president and CEO, Vivian Schiller, sent a formal letter of apology and talked by phone with NAMI Executive Director Mike Fitzpatrick following NAMI’s protest of a stigmatizing remark made during the recent controversy over the firing of long-time reporter Juan Williams. Schiller had said that Williams should have kept his feelings about Muslims between himself and his “psychiatrist or publicist–take your pick.” “I believe that consulting a mental health professional should be as unremarkable as seeing any other health care professional,” Schiller wrote in her letter. “I deeply regret my unintentionally hurtful remark. Please extend my heartfelt apology to those individuals and families who battle against the undeserved stigma of mental illness everyday.” In a NAMI Blog entry on Nov. 1, Fitzpatrick called the apology “sincere” and noted that it was one of “swiftest, most straightforward” responses NAMI has ever received to a stigma concern. “That’s consistent with the NPR that we have long known to be fair and compassionate in its reporting on mental illness,” Fitzpatrick wrote. On the stigma scale, NPR isn’t Burger King.

Glee: Not Funny Fox Television’s Emmy-winning musical comedy, Glee, stepped into stigma for its November 16 episode, entitled “The Substitute“, which mocked and trivialized bipolar disorder–and included imaginary violence as humor. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, as substitute teacher Holly Holliday, played Mary Todd Lincoln- wife of Abraham Lincoln- as part of a history lesson. In the video link (above), the short scene begins at the 39:10 minute mark. The transcript and dialogue reads: Holly Holliday is standing at the front of class room dressed in 19th century clothing, lecturing to a high school class. Holly Holliday: Mary Todd Lincoln in the house! My husband was probably gay and I’m bipolar, which makes me yell things like [pointing to a teapot], ‘That teapot is spreading lies about me! Or, that can’t be my baby because I don’t love it! [throws imaginary baby over shoulder] Mr. Schuester knocks on the door and asks Holly Holliday to speak with him for a moment. Holly Holliday: Guys, practice your bipolar rants. See, history can be fun! Please contact Fox TV and the director of the episode to express disappointment with the scene. Mental illness is not a joke. Would the show have included a scene that played AIDS or cancer for laughs? Glee has enormous power to influence young people who constitute much of the show’s audience-and for whom suicide is the third-leading cause of death. Ask the show to make amends by producing episodes that deal with mental illness accurately and compassionately

Happy Holidays Best wishes to all our StigmaBusters for the upcoming holidays. Unfortunately, the Glee character “Holly Holliday” is no cause for comfort and joy.

 

Burger King: We Want It Our Way

Burger King has been running a new television commercial that shows “The King” on a rampage, chased by men in white coats, restrained and taken away, while being called “crazy” and “insane.” Many StigmaBusters have been horrified—calling it one of the worst they’ve ever seen.

It’s the kind of stereotype and language that perpetuates stigma, reinforcing perceptions that associate violence with mental illness. “Comic” stereotypes also trivialize medical illness. Please contact the company and tell them:

• Stop running the “Crazy King” commercial.
• Support the U.S. Surgeon General-stop stigma. Help educate people about mental illness and recovery. Don’t be a public health hazard.
• We want it our way at Burger King—stigma free.

************************************************************************

Sometimes stigma can be very overt as in the examples they list. Other times, it can be very subtle, coming in the form of jokes, concern, or curiosity. Either way, it can be very hurtful and harmful. There are many people doing positive things as far as mental health goes, though, such as Camp Wellness where I did an internship. Talking about both the negative and positive is helpful if we are to make progress in eliminating stigma (though individuals should be allowed to retain their medical privacy if they do not wish to speak upon the subject).

If you are interested in mental health issues, I’ve recently made a few additions to my blogroll, including The Carter Center. The Carter Center was founded by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and has done much to bring changes in mental health awareness.

I also recently stumbled upon an interesting article from the BBC giving credibility to the fact that mental illnesses are indeed like other medical conditions: Eighty New Genes Linked to Schizophrenia.

As I said, I will post more on this subject as I get time, probably including some articles I’ve seen on racial disparity within mental health treatment, as well as some of the more positive thoughts and perspectives.