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A-MAJOR
C/O Mark Henick
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Too many times individuals who have contemplated suicide or have experienced other social mental illnesses are looked down upon by society. Illnesses such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, nervous disorders and addictions to name just a few are often regarded as shameful or taboo things. But why? Western society is making leaps of progress in social issues like minority rights, equal employment and eliminating racial discrimination. And our world is a much better place because of this progress. Yet, few people understand that which effects so many – mental health. Labels like crazy or psycho are used far too often in serious conversations. Words reinforce incorrect stereotypes and they drive people who need help into hiding. People don’t seem to understand that mental illnesses are maladies like most others. The public doesn’t typically laugh at or unfairly treat individuals with cancer, diabetes or influenza. So, why is it so socially unacceptable to be depressed? There is a common misconception that this is a chosen train of thought, that it can be just changed with material stimulants or by simply “snapping out of it”. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Mental illness can not be cured overnight. The first step towards progress is for the person feeling this way is to come forward and admit it. It is here that we reach a wall. The stigma surrounding mental illness is so powerful that most people are too afraid to admit it for fear of rejection. We already know that more than 20% of all Canadians are depressed and that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. But, imagine all of the people who suffer in silence because they are too afraid of the label that comes with the illness. Media, especially television, has done much to create and sustain a distorted view of mental illness. Characters are usually portrayed as aggressive, dangerous and unpredictable -- 70% of the television characters with a mental illness are violent" (CMHA-TB). The way that society views mental illness must be changed. An admission to a mental health hospital should not mean the end of a career or social life. How do we expect progress to be made if we don’t allow ourselves to progress? It is the goal of the A-Major Mental Health Society to eliminate this stigma and allow for recovery to begin. The primary objective of this organization is to “break the silence” clouding mental illness. If everyone were open to their feelings and were not afraid to say that they have had thoughts which most view as “not normal”, life would be much happier for everyone.
Just because someone once wanted to die, doesn’t
mean that they’ve lost the right to live.
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