Answers for those wanting to know about mental health.
Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:52 pm
I have going over many posts and have realised that there are many of you who have questions regarding this issue. Having been involved in this area for a very long time I hope I can allay some of the apparent fears many of you have.
Myth:People with mental illness cant become Christian because they don't understand about God and Jesus.
Fact:Many people with mental illness are Christians. If you could just see the look and passion these people have for Christ.
Myth:Psychotics can not be treated at all.
FactPsychosis comes in many forms and depending on the type is treatable. There is drug treatment available for many types of psychosis.
Myth Mental patients cant be trusted as they don't know right from wrong.
FactMental health covers a wide area and includes intellectual disability. Many patients being treated for mental illness are very honest and do know right from wrong. Once again it is dependent on the type of mental illness.
I hope this has been helpful. I know and understand why many of you have fears about the mentally ill. But please remember that sometimes fear can lead to prejudice and blatant discrimination. These people are not all monsters. They are often treated in the cruelest way possible. Put yourself in their shoes for a few minutes. Many people wont seek help for their illness because of the shame that it brings. Society still treats these people as if they are something to be ashamed and forgotten about. Many of these people live in appalling conditions, or are homeless. Imagine what it must be like to hear comments every day such as being called a stupid retard, dopey, laughed at when they get things wrong, have things thrown at them (just for fun) or been beaten up.
In the city where I live we have a bi-annual event to get the community to interact with intellectually disabled people. It is called the Big Day Out. It has been a huge success in helping many people overcome their fears of the mentally ill. So far hundreds of people have participated. At first there was the normal fear such as "what if they attack me" type attitude. However every single person who takes part in these events have said it was the most wonderful experience in their life. Many people even stated that before they met these people they never knew just how much a human could love unconditionally. These intellectually disabled people have unconditional love for people and so much joy to bring to peoples lives.
Myth:People with mental illness cant become Christian because they don't understand about God and Jesus.
Fact:Many people with mental illness are Christians. If you could just see the look and passion these people have for Christ.
Myth:Psychotics can not be treated at all.
FactPsychosis comes in many forms and depending on the type is treatable. There is drug treatment available for many types of psychosis.
Myth Mental patients cant be trusted as they don't know right from wrong.
FactMental health covers a wide area and includes intellectual disability. Many patients being treated for mental illness are very honest and do know right from wrong. Once again it is dependent on the type of mental illness.
I hope this has been helpful. I know and understand why many of you have fears about the mentally ill. But please remember that sometimes fear can lead to prejudice and blatant discrimination. These people are not all monsters. They are often treated in the cruelest way possible. Put yourself in their shoes for a few minutes. Many people wont seek help for their illness because of the shame that it brings. Society still treats these people as if they are something to be ashamed and forgotten about. Many of these people live in appalling conditions, or are homeless. Imagine what it must be like to hear comments every day such as being called a stupid retard, dopey, laughed at when they get things wrong, have things thrown at them (just for fun) or been beaten up.
In the city where I live we have a bi-annual event to get the community to interact with intellectually disabled people. It is called the Big Day Out. It has been a huge success in helping many people overcome their fears of the mentally ill. So far hundreds of people have participated. At first there was the normal fear such as "what if they attack me" type attitude. However every single person who takes part in these events have said it was the most wonderful experience in their life. Many people even stated that before they met these people they never knew just how much a human could love unconditionally. These intellectually disabled people have unconditional love for people and so much joy to bring to peoples lives.