The basic problem is that mental illness is not regarded as illness by a large portion of the population. It is regarded as mental weakness. It is thought that if the sufferer just ‘grew a spine’ or ‘toughened up’ they wouldn’t hear voices, or feel utter despair or think that the government (run by the Illuminati) is out to get them. And as my last example shows some forms of mental illness are regarded as good and true by many people.

Even people who think otherwise (like myself) and suffer from mental illness (like myself) often believe emotionally that they are weak, and so will not admit to themselves or others that they are ill, like I did. It took me trying to take my own life and just, barely, failing before I sought out the help I needed.

I’ve come up with two metaphors, based on my experience, that might help people understand.

Mental illness is a lot like diabetes. Both genetics and environment play roles in its occurrence. And like diabetes it cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Medication and carefully planned exposure to the environment can keep a person from suffering too much from their illness.

The other metaphor is cancer. Like cancer mental illness is never cured. It only goes into remission. You live every day with the fear it may return, and you may not survive the next occurrence.

But only until mental illness is recognized as illness and not weakness by an overwhelming majority will things change. This change will have to be at an emotional level and not just a intellectual one. Belief tends to override knowledge.