Mental Health: Six Things That Really Tick Me Off
It’s time for a Sparks-style rant here at Mental Health Notes, and today I’ve chosen to “discuss” the top six things that tick me off the most regarding mental health.
- Stigma. Stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one’s reputation.” Please, if you see mental illness as a disgrace or a stain, get over yourself. Actually, get yourself checked out. One in every four people has some kind of mental health issue. Your irrational thought processes may be indicative of your own.
- Cruelty. Every now and then I hear about or see, through word-of-mouth or the news, a horrific story of abuse to a mentally-disabled person. While the abuser is sometimes a random passer-by, it’s often the victim’s family member(s) and/or caregiver(s). I believe there is an especially hot place in Hell for those folks who abuse and neglect the mentally handicapped.
- Health insurance. You don’t have it because you can’t afford it or your employer doesn’t offer it. Or, you have it but it doesn’t cover your mental health needs, so, as far as your brain is concerned, you may as well not have it. Why does finding ways to pay for health coverage have to be such an Olympic feat?
- Medication side effects. Ugh, do I really need to explain this one?
- Inadequate resources. This mostly refers to resources for people who don’t have health insurance, or don’t have health insurance that covers mental health care. We are the people of your cities, your states, and your country. You think you’d want to help ensure our brains function properly. Stop spending a katrillion dollars on Iraq and new shopping centers and build a few mental health community centers, for Pete’s sake.
- Improper placement and treatment. Improperly trained nursing home employees. Throwing people with schizophrenia in the general population of a city jail. Filthy state mental health wards. It all really ticks. me. off.
There you have it. Agree? Disagree? Have something to add to the list? By all means, vent. I’m sure I’ve missed something.
POSTED IN: Rants & Raves, Sites of Interest
8 opinions for Mental Health: Six Things That Really Tick Me Off
New Mental Health Forums, Psychiatric Dogs, and Bisexual Women
Jan 19, 2008 at 5:03 am
[…] Schwartz, LCSW, PhD, and it already has a couple of very interesting comments. Given number six of yesterday’s rant, it’s worth a […]
Danny George
Jan 22, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Alicia, amen, well said. Wanted to bring to your attention a book I’ve just co-authored with Dr. Peter Whitehouse called “The Myth of Alzheimer’s: What You Aren’t Being Told About Today’s Most Dreaded Diagnosis”–I think that given your principles, it would appeal to you and your readership. Please check out our website (www.themythofalzheimers.com), and let me know if it’s something you’d potentially like to post on. All the best,
take care,
Danny
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Jan 22, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Thank you so much for the heads up regarding your book and the Web site, Danny. Alzheimer’s is such a terrifying illness to me; however, despite that fear, it’s something I try to learn more about each chance I get. It seems to run on my mother’s side of the family - my great-grandmother and grandmother are the only two diagnosed cases that I know of, though there’s speculation that others (aunts, cousins, etc.) also had it. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I sometimes wonder, out of my mother and aunt, which (if either, or both) will have it. I think the same way about myself and my sister.
I’m going to include your book and Web site in this upcoming Saturday Sanity at Mental Health Notes. Have you checked out the b5media blog Alzheimer’s Notes (http://www.alzheimersnotes.com)?
Susan
Jan 24, 2008 at 9:45 am
Dear Alicia,
“…Inadequate resources. This mostly refers to resources for people who don’t have health insurance, or don’t have health insurance that covers mental health care. We are the people of your cities, your states, and your country. You think you’d want to help ensure our brains function properly. Stop spending a katrillion dollars on Iraq and new shopping centers and build a few mental health community centers, for Pete’s sake…”
AHEM:)
Saturday Sanity: Your Brain Begs For It.
Jan 26, 2008 at 11:12 am
[…] What You Aren’t Being Told About Today’s Most Dreaded Diagnosis chimed in over at Mental Health: Six Things That Really Tick Me Off to express agreement, and let me know about how we all may be interested in the book and its […]
Jackal
Jun 26, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Stigma coming from mental health professionals.
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Jun 30, 2008 at 5:55 pm
@ Jackal - Amen to that.
Do You Have GOOD Mental Health News To Share?
Aug 1, 2008 at 5:48 pm
[…] I gripe. I’ve been known to tell off Representatives and mental health care workers I don’t […]
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