For some reason I had a dream this morning about Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital. It was open during my high school days; my bus used to drive right past it, but now the only thing that remains of the institution is the stone entryway. Whitman was in control when it closed down, but I wasn't really reading the paper. I thought it closed over some state legal mess, but then I though someone said it was over the care of the patients there. I don't know. But I woke up ready to go on app.com and do some research. That's what I'm going to do after I'm finished here.
On the Today Show they had someone on talking about mental health awareness month. But Kathie Lee, the absolute normal-sane-perfect one, made it clear that the segment wasn't about people that needed medication for severe problems, which it should've been about, but about helping people who were in relationships. OMG, they talk about relationships all the motherf***ing time! Why couldn't they dedicate that segment to people who are like, so suffering and people on medication? Is it because people who are in relationships make up a bigger percentage than people who are on meds? Then f*** people who are hitched. I wish I could stomp the life out of them. Even if it isn't mental health awareness month, the Today Show and other networks are always devoting time to yuch, couples. Yuch! They just did a huge disservice to people who are on meds for psychiatric reasons and desperately need the help. We feel alone, SOME of us do. We feel we're the only people like ourselves who feel upset all the time. SOME of us are like that. Why not help us? I need help. I'm quitting my therapist today. I've just outgrown her. I don't know what to talk about with her anymore. I wish Jeff was my therpist. Now that's a relationship that would mean something. We'd have an active relationship together, talking, sharing, everything. I give him so much of me but he never gives back. One day, Jeff! Will you? Please say yes!
3 comments on what the today show really thinks about mental health
Add a comment
To add comments without entering your email and image verification, you must be logged in. Login or Join Blogster
I believe one reason that so much attention is devoted to people in relationships is because problems are often the reasons for tearing relationships apart. Even the relationships you have with your parents and with your therapist may be affected by your problems so, even though your relationships may be different than the ones they were talking about, you can see where there might be some similarities and, therefore, why there needs to be discussion about it.
But, you are absolutely right about how more should be done about discussing and looking at the needs of those who are mostly alone. Illnesses effect them, too, and they may not have the same support systems out there that are willing to help them. Your post here is so strong and justified that it should be sent to the Today Show, to The View, to Oprah, to any program that can seriously read it and maybe devote some attention to this.
Awareness is what makes the media and people look at something. Until some things are addressed in the "right kind of light", a lot will be ignored, taken for granted, or simply dismissed as unimportant. Many people like you feel there is no way to effectively speak out where it will make a difference and illness/problems might prevent them from being able to do so. But, you write so well, so clearly and strongly, that you have a way to get the message out. At least somebody else will hear you! Make copies of this and send a copy to every type of show or program you know that might be interested. Send a copy to the people who tend to do health-related reports and specials. Send copies to magazines, letters to the editors, even radio talk shows. (You can always add that you are unable to call or discuss these things in any other than your letter because you happen to suffer from the very problems you would like to see addressed.)
Whether you take my advice or not, though, just know that you are right in what you said. Yes, there should be talk about people in relationships and other problems besides the ones like you have, but there also should be coverage on single people and their issues, including a very important issue such as yours.
that's funny when you said my post should be sent to Oprah. HA! I'd be way too shy to show my face! Thank you for saying so strongly that I should send my post to the media. I would very much like to, but, well, let me explain. The media doesn't like talking about mentally ill people. If they do it's like, "a deranged man shot up a courthouse" or "police had a violent standoff with a mentally ill woman last night" then parents hear these stories and teach their children, "see? that's why you should stay away from nuts'os." That's where stigma starts. When a story concerning a mentally ill person is broadcasted it's always some violent thing. It's like the media is telling its viewers, "watch out for yourself today! Talk to your children! Teach them to stay away from the lady that talks to herself on the train! There's some real nuts'os in this world!" I'm not saying people should be careful when they're walking down the street or on the train alone, but to put that label of "oh, they're violent" on every mentally ill person they come into contact with is wrong, very wrong, and I don't know if the media knows they do this. It's like they're perpetuating the stigma all over again. But I'm not one to tell them. They want to stear clear from any mental health issue, I think, that would be benneficial. If they talk about schizophrenia, it's for a quick second. If they talk about a suicide, it's for two seconds exactly. I know they don't like to dwell on a suicide story 'cause it's like bringing glorification to that art and the deceased person, but they should broadcast it, spend a little more time on it. These people had real issues that go deeper than "I can't decide what to wear today or what shall I put on my bagel". We need to be praying for their families. Why they took their lives needs to be examined more. Was there anything society could've done? Did society even care this person had problems? Was the person being constantly ignored? I think a suicide of someone who was extremely disturbed should spend as much time in the media spotlight for the reasons of educating people on mental illness, not scaring them, as the drooling over what sex Angelina Jolie's silver-spoon-in-the-mouth babies are going to be. Such a materialistic and harsh, un-sympathetic world! Now do you understand why I want to leave? I like teenagers, and a lot is said about mental health and kids, but the media needs to wake up and say "There are adults, single, anti-social, whatever, that are going through the same thing a teenager would go through. Let's talk about that" See it's like I've always said, one you turn 18, people don't care about you anymore. There are some agencies that care for adults with problems, but like, where I live, it's so few. And I'm well advanced over the programs that they do have. There are lots of places that care for disabled kids but I think not enough is done for them once they reach adulthood. I hate that. Like I said, when you're a kid, it's like "aww. you're precious." But when you get to be an adult it's like, "get a job, you bum!" Now, I wish I was all innocent teetering in my walker again. There's a lot more I can say, like about the media's obsession of autism as the only neurological disorder out there, and why they seem to like to always focus on the children, not adults, but I'm tired. I spent all day on the computer today. Now, I hate to say this, but it's time to watch the news. I'm addicted.
The thing is, I agree with you! There should be focus on autism and there should be focus on abuse and there should be focus on children, but the media has no right to be so selective that it ONLY focuses on certain things and disregards others! The mainstream media is a hell of a lot more guilty of that than the more specialized coverage given on other networks (mostly cable), special broadcasts, and less vogue magazines. The TLC channel, for instance, does excellent in-depth coverage of a numerous numerous number of things, everything from dwarfism to people living with lesser known addictions. The only reason I suggested Oprah is because, aside from her celebrity and light entertainment type shows, she will get into a number of important, even sensitive subjects in depth...and encourage, even urge people to read and learn more about things. Often, in a later broadcast, she will do a follow-up and continue with more discussion and reporting on the issues. Even if you are too shy to appear, they do that "thing" where they distort faces and/or voices for protection and anonymity...or, she may feel so understanding of your feelings as well as your situation that she will not hound you, but will find others to be part of the discussion. She may have experts on the subject, but may also read things written by you or other people like you. With enough pressure, even the mainstream media might find that it's "cool and hip" to include some kind of coverage on this subject because it will do good for their ratings...and they'll feel they're doing a community service. Don't, please don't, ever feel that your writing or your feelings are meaningless or of no interest to anybody. And, regardless of whatever you decide to do, don't stop writing as a hobby and as a means to get your thoughts and feelings out because it's a good outlet and you are good at it.
I also understand your position because I am a survivor of abuse and, although I did get help as an adult, I see that more emphasis is given toward children who are abused. Yes, it is a tragedy and they need to be helped and the abuse needs to stop, but how about the adults who still suffer from the trauma? They now must cope in a world where they have less trust, less self-esteem, and sometimes living with psychological disorders similar to "natural" mental illness. There is help out there for them, but there is very little if any discussion of this situation or about these adult people to raise understanding among the public. Many of these people can't hold jobs or make friends, either...they feel alone and "different"...and they often want to die and hurt themselves.
So, yes, I agree with you, but I still feel that it doesn't hurt to speak out and try to MAKE people hear!