I think one of the most important things is support. People who are struggling with a mental disorder need to be surrounded with compassion; they need people who will stand beside them and say I am here to help anyway I can but I don't understand what you're going through. Bi-polar runs in my family and though I'm not effected by it I do struggle with depression. One thing that I hate the most when it comes to talking about what I go through is when a person tries to "understand" when they really can't understand.
Another thing that I think needs to be done is reducing the red tape for receiving mental health benefits. Granted some caution needs to be exercised but health insurance companies make it so difficult; I know when I received approval for my mental health benefits, my doctor and I had to jump through the hoops. I had to call and answer a little questionnaire, my doctor had to fill out forms then I had to fill out some forms, the list goes on and on. When you have to go through that it really makes you feel like... well, I'm not really sure how to describe the feeling.
I also think the media plays a large role in how our society views the mentally ill.
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Compassion from family and friend are very important. It is important to have that moral support. I deal with depression also because of my diagnosis of breast cancer eight years ago. People want to tell me they understand what I went through, however, they have no idea what you go through. I also feel that if there was better patient confidentiality concerning medical records would decrease information getting to the wrong person. Society and media do guide people on how they feel about the mentally ill. Education to the general public would definitely decrease the shame that comes from the dianosis of mental illness.
I totally agree "SUPPORT" is very important and needed for all those who have a mental illness. Their friends and family should be able to help with episodes, depression, reactions of others, and what ever else comes along with their illness. I mean it was not someone's fault of the fact they were born with or were diagnosed with a mental illness. I do not think others should show sympathy, make it an issue, or fact for their illness but have respect for them. Showing others care, respect, and honesty like any other person.
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