Carrie Fisher: The Struggle Against the Stigma Loses a Soldier

I am mentally ill. I can say that. I am not ashamed of that. I survived that, I’m still surviving it, but bring it on. Better me than you.
- Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher was primarily known by her role as the prominent actress starring in the original "Star Wars" films. As I am sure you all know by the time this article is posted, Carrie Fisher passed away at age 60 due to a massive heart attack.

News of her death, I'm sure, have ripped through the Galactic Rebellion and tears are shedding throughout the galaxy. Not only did the fictional rebellion lose a fighter, but so did the very real fight to end mental illness stigma.

Fisher was very outspoken about her diagnosis of bipolar disorder and about her previous struggles with addiction. She was a very prolific writer and published an autobiography and some shorter memoirs describing her experiences and struggles. She openly spoke of these issues in interviews and speeches, and many people saw her as a leading activist and a prominent humanist.

In recent years, the mental illness destigmatization movement has been making progress in the humanization of people who suffer from mental illness. This fight lost a soldier and a hero to the cause this past week, but the fight will continue due to her lasting imprint on it.

May the force be with you, Carrie Fisher, and may the force be with all who suffer.