I don't know how many of you were given mental health talks at school or have watched documentaries or videos online about mental health, but I was and have many times over the years and have developed a deep cynicism, anger and distrust for/of this publicity of mental health. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to the idea of an increased publicity of mental health, in fact I support and encourage it, however I just think it's been done/is being done wrong! As someone who has gone through mental health issues, mental health now-a-days is becoming less of a taboo topic and more people know about the different types and symptoms, which of course is beneficial, however publicity for the treatment, procedures, medication and after effects of mental health disorders are never addressed. So often our media and talk centres on people being diagnosed or trying to get better however despite the details of the condition being described possible treatments are never talked about. In the UK so often the GP will prescribe medicine and maybe psychotherapy without telling you about other options such as CBT.
I think there are 2 similar cases to mental health issues, particularly depression (which I'm going to focus on since it's the only one I have experience in), addiction and cancer. That might sound crazy but hear me out. I see many mental health issues such as depression and anxiety as an addiction to a way/process of thinking. Much like drug or alcohol addiction there is the possibility of a relapse and so often, much like a former drug addict may crave drugs, a person recovering from depression will feel the draw to return to that old thought process, however in both cases determination to get through it can prevent relapses despite constant danger. This is never portrayed in the media in terms of mental health. I've seen many speeches and shows by 'recovered' people who portray the image of being perfectly ok and how they have turned they're life around, and it almost presents the idea that nothing happened to them at all, and they talk about how they've come to where they are at. But they don't show the daily shadow that lingers the permanent effects/mental scarring from years of mental health issues. Why not? Because they are too scared, because addressing the issue is a confession that depression never leaves you fully. I deal with it on a daily basis, I have to check my mental health regularly and check in with myself that I am still ok, this side is never represented. Getting helps should be encouraged but that does not mean sugar coating the end, help helps you to control the 'addiction', tame the beast, and let you live a relatively normal life, however nothing is vanquished, you don't become magically ok. Even after you aren't clinically ill anymore the fight continues. I was no longer clinically depressed by around the age of 11, however only this year, 7-8years later to I feel like I have dealt with everything and finally feel fully in control. Why does this part of mental health recovery have to still be taboo?! I want it to stop!!
Now onto the cancer similarities. Cancer, similarly to mental health used to be a very taboo topic, but it on it's way to no longer be considered as such. Cancer, similar to mental health issues like depression, is one of the biggest killers in the world. It is the cause of countless deaths of celebs and other highly publicised people; so why then are they portrayed so differently in the media and in our education? Whenever a celebrity dies of cancer the media will talk about their years of struggle with chemo- and radiotherapy etc., however so often when it comes to suicide and mental health issues they just talk about how the death happened e.g. hanging without discussing the treatments that that figure has gone through. This has led to a massive hole in the general public's knowledge on the topic of available treatments, whereas cancer treatments are widely known about, and taught in schools. Given that these are issues that are arguably on the same scale, why aren't they being treated as such? People know about cancer and feel like they can provide advice and support for sufferers, where as the same can not be said for mental health issues. If you asked someone on the streets the benefits and disadvantages of each cancer treatment I'm sure a wide range and large number of people would be able to to offer insight, advice and suggestions, where as the same cannot be said for mental health issues. How many people actually know what psychotherapy entails? How many people actually know the adverse effects of antidepressants? How many people know how to best provide support for those going through the treatment?! Too few in the case of mental health! Why?! Because our education and publicity does not target this area of mental health. That's why. What good is knowing about the disorders and being able to detect it in your loved ones without knowing what to do afterwards?
In conclusion, while I'm happy about the increase in publicity of mental health, I'm not happy about how the story is being told. Why is the full story not being told? Why is the story being cut off, censored, sugarcoated?! Why are treatments not publicised and procedures more widely known? And most importantly, why can't this all be rectified? Cause I think it can, and should be.