As an Iowa community discussed the construction of a new inpatient mental health hospital in 2018, Marty Parrish responded to their stigmatizing remarks by sharing his personal story with mental health and addiction issues and the importance of inpatient treatment for his recovery. "I was always afraid of being judged because of the stigma against people with mental health," he said in a recent interview. "But after that very hostile meeting in Clive, I had to tell my story. I had to talk."
Real Men, Real Depression
“Depression is a serious but treatable medical condition -- a brain disease -- that can strike anyone, including men. In America alone, more than 6 million men have depression each year.” The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH)’s Real Men, Real Depression campaign includes brochures and videos of a wide variety of men speaking candidly about their experiences with depression. Follow the “Source” link to access the full campaign archive from NIMH.
#SameHere testimonial: Jim Dowd
#SameHere testimonial: Bob Kravitz
We're All a Little "Crazy" Campaign
This U.S.- based campaign was started by sports executive Eric Kussin to “normalize society’s perception of mental health and make it part of our everyday conversation.” Not only does the campaign provide a platform for personal stories through their #SameHere movement, but it also provides a list of Stress & Trauma, Active Release & Rewiring (STARR) Practices and resources. “Improving our mental health is not a “one-size-fits-all” process, however, by providing you with a list of therapies, you can research & choose the ones that work best for you.”
Your Head: An Owners Manual
“Having a mental health problem doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or that you’re weak, not manly, or that you’re losing your masculinity. In fact, quite the opposite is true. We believe that admitting to yourself (and others, if necessary) that you have a problem, and getting the help you need is a sign of great strength.” This resource from The Men’s Health Network discusses the importance of mental wellness for a man’s overall health, identifying symptoms of a problem and practical interventions.
LGBTQ People Share How Therapy Changed Their Lives
“Therapy drastically changed my life. So much shame can be internalized when you grow up believing who you are is wrong.” Huffington Post asked LGBTQ members of their Twitter and Facebook communities to share how therapy transformed their lives for the better. Click the title to access the full article.
Stigma and LGBTQ Consumers
Hiding to avoid rejection causes anxiety, fear, and isolation
A shareable graphic for social media, websites, and beyond. “Many LGBT people—particularly youth and seniors—experience higher rates of rejection, bullying, harassment, general mistreatment and even violence from the people and institutions that should be protecting them,” says Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. “The enormous effort of… hiding in order to avoid rejection from their families, employers, churches, schools, friends and neighbors can create an even greater sense of anxiety, fear and isolation.”
Embracing Pride and the LGBT+ Community in Recovery
Tessa Torgeson shares her personal experience as a member of the LGBT+ community who is also in recovery from addiction. “For myself, the intersections of addiction and LGBT identity are so complex… We weren't given the social or political power to have public space. So, bars and underground clubs were our space... so addiction can sometimes become a learned behavior. For me, it was alcohol. I used it to suppress my identity.”