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Tova's journey through middle and high school held more than the
usual teenage 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."
Tova's mother, Tracee Black, agrees that stigma made things harder.
"One of the things I'd like people to know is that things are
not as bad as they seem, if you can just get beyond the stigma,"
she said.
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.
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