I stumbled upon a post on a blog written by Glenn Close and she surprised me with her honesty about the topic: MENTAL ILLNESS. It was not something I was expecting, nor was I looking for it, but when I saw it, I was intrigued, and so, I read.
It comes down to one thing according to Close, the stigma around mental illness needs to be lifted. It should be talked about and portrayed accurately. We've made stunning medical advances, yet, people still shy away from getting the help that is available. The reason? Fear. Fear of being judged by others. Fear of being feared because, so often, mental illness is portrayed as a danger to society.
All I have to say, is the only danger mental illness poses on society, is society not realizing how ordinary it is. So many people suffer from some form of mental illness... and they do not pose a threat to anyone. Depression is a mental illness. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental illness. Mental illnesses are everywhere. Bi-polar is a mental illness and most of these individuals are not a danger to anyone! I have a friend who is bi-polar and she's one of the gentlest, most honest people I know!!!!!!!!!
Glenn Close is right... TV and media have to stop portraying everyone with a mental illness as dangerous or threatening. It just isn't so!
