Week-ending March 6, 2015: In this week’s installment of Mental Illness in the News, I want to spotlight one particular news item that really resonated with me.
The post, How Should We Talk About Mental Health, written by Thu-Huong Ha, Ideas.Ted.com Author, focuses on thoughts and ideas around how we should talk about Mental Illness (link below). In this piece, the author engages seven mental health experts, interviewing them as they collectively work to peel back the layers and shine more light on the subject of mental health! This article was published in 2013, however it is so relevant and chocked full of practical advice that I couldn’t resist highlighting it here.
What I really love about it is the fact that it addresses the challenges we as a society seem to have in effective and respectful communication about mental health issues. The article also discusses several of the misnomers that plague this topic still today, especially in respect to mental illness as it relates to criminality, the silence and stigma that keep people from asking for help, and the fact that “we” still are missing the mark when it comes to recognizing the ties between mental health and suicide.
The only reservation I have with this entire article is the last section where humor is mentioned as a way to “soften” people up to hear about mental health topics; too often those suffering with mental illness end up the brunt of this type of humor which unfortunately can serve to deepen the stigma instead of shattering it.
Have a read and let me know your thoughts!
FEATURED:
How Should We Talk About Mental Health Via TED
READ IT HERE
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When Mentally Ill Students Feel Alone Via The Atlantic
READ IT HERE
A Former College Lineman Now on the Streets, Looking for Answers, and Help Via New York Times
READ IT HERE
Saving Face: Vicki Hogarth’s Tale of Overcoming Addiction Via Flare Magazine
READ IT HERE
Mental Health May Depend on Creatures in the Gut Via Scientific American
READ IT HERE
New Approach Needed to Tackle Mental Ill-Health at Work Via OECD
READ IT HERE
Have a news article, post or essay that you’d like us to share in our weekly round-up? Send an email to farfromparadiseblog@gmail.com with the information! Thanks for reading!
Featured image via Istockphoto
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