A few weeks ago, a friend of mine went to the pharmacy with the intention of getting new pills for her anxiety. This was due to the fact that her old medication stopped working. The drug company for the generic brand changed the ingredients to lower the cost of the drugs production. This led to the inability of the drug's medicinal purpose, not just for my friend, but for many others taking it. With her new prescription in hand, my friend went to the pharmacy to fill it. Unfortunately, the insurance couldn't cover the new pill yet since it was too soon after filling the old prescription. My friend asked the pharmacist to give her a few pills to hold her over until the insurance would cover the refill. The pharmacist refused basically saying that was only done when the ailment is physical.
I share this story because I feel it encompasses most of the world's views on mental illness. Most believe that mental illness isn't as serious as physical conditions. This is not the case. A mental illness is just as capable as a physical illness when it comes to rendering someone unfit to participate in daily activities. Mental illness is just as effective when it comes to leading to a person's demise. According to the CDC, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US among all ages. Suicide is often the result of mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder.
When something cannot be seen, people often question it. Just because someone looks fine on the outside, it doesn't mean they don't suffer on the inside. Mental illness is just as serious as any other ailment and deserves to be treated as such. More people should try to learn and understand illness from a mental perspective so they can attempt to help and recognize when someone is in need of said help.
The moral of the story? Try to act in such a way that you show compassion for all people. Recognize that we all deal with life in different ways and we all come from different backgrounds. Notice that just because you cannot see someone's pain, it doesn't mean it isn't there. Especially with all the suffering we have seen in recent days, it is important we all try to make peace within our society.
Post quote: "Be happy, noble heart. May you be blessed for all the good you have done and will do hereafter!" The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
P.S. Please continue to like, share, and comment on my articles! There will be a new one every week and I will happily accept any ideas for what I should write about!
Don't be shy,
Darin
