With the unfortunate events that have unfolded in Fort Hood, the issue of mental illness and mental health will more than likely be the subject matter on many news programs and talk shows over the next few weeks, especially relating to our brave men and women serving our country.
Mental illness is one of those subjects that I am very passionate about, much like education. When something like it affects you and your life as tremendously as it has mine, it’s hard to take the sidelines and be an observer. My first encounter with depression came when I was a sophomore in high school. Feeling down due to some family and personal issues, I first tried to ignore the feelings. Being a male, I didn’t want to come out and say anything, as there’s some big “taboo” almost with men and depression. In the end, I am glad to this day that I spoke up and said something about it. Unfortunately depression and other mental illnesses are still a touchy subject to many. Some think it as a pseudoscience, while others just dismiss it as those coping with the mental illness as not competent enough to handle their own problems. Neither could be further from the truth, of course.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older—about one in four adults—suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” Growing up in a small town where mental illness was largely misunderstood, it was hard to relate to anyone or talk to anyone about it, the usual questions come up and I’d have to end the conversation. Last month was Mental Illness Awareness Month, dedicated to educate people about mental disorders and the seriousness of them. It’s obvious that advocacy groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and others have a long way to go when it comes to educating the general public on a misunderstood and sensitive issue. It seems the only time we hear about mental ailments in the news is after horrific events such as the Fort Hood incident or the Virginia Tech shootings. It paints a picture of those suffering as crazed, quiet people who will explode at any moment and gun down all whom they see.
As with anything else, the best defense against the thinking that has for too long held back many with a mental illness is knowledge. It’s unfortunate that many are ill-informed of an issue such as this one.
With November, yet another month is set aside for this issue but this time it’s for men. Many might know it as No-Shave November. Yes, there is actually a reason for the beards everyone sees around campus, besides many males just growing them out for fun. The Movember Foundation, started in 2004, is a charity based in New Zealand and Australia that advocates for the awareness of men’s health issues such as depression and other major health-related endeavors.
Only when honest, intelligent discourse is introduced in the discussion of an issue such as this will progress be made. If you believe you are suffering from depression or any other mental illness, do not be afraid to speak out and let someone know. There is always someone willing to talk and listen. Hopefully something positive will come out of this violent act and our military men and women will begin to seek the adequate treatment and help they need when returning from a war zone.
Wounds are not only physical, they are emotional and psychological as well.
Mental illness awareness crucial
Published: Monday, November 9, 2009
Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009
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