Why We Need To Stop Stereotyping Mental Illness
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why We Need To Stop Stereotyping Mental Illness

Imagine being blamed for something you have no control over.

309
Why We Need To Stop Stereotyping Mental Illness
mescend.net

Mental illness has constantly been seen as a "joke". People think just because you can't physically see someone's illness means that it isn't actually there. This is far from true. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year. For teens between the ages of 13-18, it is also 1 in 5.

One stereotype that I'm sick of hearing about is that teens who have a mental illness are just going through a "phase". I honestly blame media for this because movies about teenagers such as "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "American Pie" make it seem like drinking and taking drugs is a normal thing and that this is how you cure a mental illness.

Another one is blaming the person for their mental illness. I cannot stress enough that it is NOT the person's fault. Mental illnesses don't just happen over night. No one wakes up one day and decides that they want to have a mental illness. Trauma, and life experiences are what cause mental illness.

I'm taking a course on mental health this semester, and it has already made me realize many things. It's made me realize that so many people do not take mental illness seriously and are constantly making jokes that they don't even realize how offensive they are. My teacher told us to take note of anything we notice that would probably offend someone with a mental illness. Whether it was in person, on the news, on a TV show, or even in music. This was an eye opener for me because once I actually started paying attention to others, I started to realize there were SO many things that would offend someone.

I'll admit it, I was this person. Even though I have people in my life that are affected by mental illness, I would still continue to make jokes such as "this assignment makes me want to jump off a bridge" or calling someone a psycho. I think I decided to start saying things like this because I was used to hearing others saying it around me. I thought it was something you could say and that it didn't mean anything. The reality is that it does.

If people have realized that saying things like "fag" or "retarded" are offensive, then why can't people realize that saying you want to kill yourself or calling someone crazy is also offensive? One day I hope people will take mental illness seriously. There are many people who have a mental illness but are too scared to tell anyone in fear of not being taken seriously. From now on I'm going to be aware of the things that I say around others, because I never know what someone else is going through.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

48106
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30533
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954486
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

174243
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments