Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
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[...] Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness Watch an introductory video, see the panel discussion and view video testimonials from the June 18th event. [...]
Until you have walked the walk with a family member with severe mental illness of any kind (in my case 2 family members with bipolar), you have no idea! It is a war without weapons, front line battles without training, real fear of tragedies that do occur, the abuse that goes on in a family, the stigma and refusal of friends and family to reach out and help, the intense stress that does not compare to any medical illness – and I can compare mental illness vs. physical illness as my son has 12 medical diagnoses. Mental illness knows no boundaries, it becomes a characterological disorder because the behavior is so embedded into a loved ones personality when they do not take their medication. But can medication be forced – oh of course not. But can a mentally ill manic man abuse his family – well of course he can because the system will not stop him. Children are the silent sufferers in all of this. It is time to get serious about a very serious disease – mental illness!!
After watching the panel discussion again I have this sinking feeling. It is all just alot of talk mental illness destroyes lives and whole families lieves it has such an abusive result on helpless children that will stay with them untill death.What help is there? The complex mazes in order to be treated the laws that work against treatment, and cost. where do you begin? The brightest voice was that of Frederick Frese
Estelle Richman should not have the job as PA Secrtary of Public Welfare she clearly does not understand Mental Illness
Estelle Richman has identified the problems will she have a solution?
This is a tough topic to talk about publicly. My successful businessman husband (IBM, Bristol Myers Squibb) feared a downsizing and could not find a job for 13 months. He fell into a depression and when an ambulance took him to a local hospital, they could not admit him for psychiatric care, because they called his attempt at carbon monoxide an "ideation". They put him on the cardiac floor for his blood pressure and he jumped from the third floor into a cement viaduct in an attempt to end his emotional pain. He survived, but we never even told his father, our good friends and our neighbors the truth. Now 9 years later, we have moved through the adversity and are reaching out to help other families. Dr. Gottlieb had our family as guests on his show. Our new book is titled No More Secrets – A family speaks about depression, anxiety and attempted suicide. We welcome the opportunity to share our story of hope and recovery with the community.