| The stigma of mental illness still exists today. It's true | | | | people don't talk about it because of the fear they will |
| that mental disorders have gained much more | | | | be ridiculed. It's sad, isn't it? |
| exposure over the past few years, but there are still | | | | Mental disorders are just like medical disorders in that |
| many people who either run from those who have | | | | they make life difficult and most of the time can be a |
| mental health issues or makes jokes. Because of this, | | | | life sentence. That is why it is so important to seek out |
| people who are suffering will often stop or never begin | | | | help to alleviate symptoms. Many mental disorders |
| treatment. | | | | cannot be cured but the symptoms can be helped so |
| If you are someone who has been feeling anxiety, | | | | you can live without struggling each day. |
| depressed, or other types of symptoms, it's important | | | | Confidentiality laws protect patients from the stigma of |
| to seek help. It's better to see your healthcare | | | | mental disorders. If you speak to a doctor or see a |
| professional then live each day a prisoner in your own | | | | counselor, they are bound by law not to give out any |
| body. When you are experiencing emotions or | | | | information about you or your treatment. Someone |
| thoughts you cannot control, medication and counseling | | | | cannot call a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor to |
| can help. Without it, you will live each and everyday | | | | ask if you are a patient. They will be unable to confirm |
| feeling hopeless and helpless. That is no way to live. | | | | or deny whether you receive services. This protects |
| The stigma of mental illness still exists but you would | | | | you from employers finding out private information as |
| be surprised at the amount of closet mental health | | | | well as family members or friends. The only way |
| sufferers. Since no one talks about it, people walk | | | | anyone can find out anything about your treatment is if |
| around assuming that no one else is having the same | | | | you sign a consent form granting the medical |
| mental issues. That is simply untrue. In 2004, there | | | | professional to divulge information. So be rest assured |
| were 57.7 Millions of Americans suffering with a | | | | that just because you need medication doesn't mean |
| mental disorder. These people are not only found on | | | | that everyone will know about it. You can be happier in |
| the streets homeless or in rural areas, they are found | | | | your life and be confident knowing that no one will find |
| in your workplace and in your neighborhood. These | | | | out why. |