Posted by psych chat on October 20, 2009, at 6:34:52
In reply to psycho donuts - mental health stigma, posted by psych chat on October 18, 2009, at 12:55:19
I can see the other perspectives too. I did see one person, who claimed to be bipolar, post on their company blog that she is glad for the shop, that it makes her feel more accepted or something like that. I would guess they wouldn't post the negative comments from others.
And I thought about it-the company's perspective. Still, it doesn't make sense because they are not portraying mental illness in a positive light--they are actually reinforcing stereotypes. How many mentally ill people do you know who are such a danger to themselves or others that they need a straightjacket or padded cell? I'd guess that children visiting that shop with their parents are going to have that image in their mind about 'the mentally ill'.
Instead of a padded cell and straightjackets, the cause might be better served by-just an example-by emphasizing famous people who have been known to suffer from mental illnesses - such as Isaac Newton, Virgina Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, Jane Pauley, Buzz Aldrin, Winston Churchill, etc. I can think of some other creative ways to implement a mental illness theme, if the purpose is to diminish stigma.
It's still difficult to talk about mental illness among your colleagues (this is true for me and some others i know). Maybe if the public understood those around them with mental health issues can achieve accomplishments, are those who interact among them every day as opposed to being psycho or nuts, and have value to society - maybe then will things improve.
Hollywood sometimes does a good job of this. The news media-they commonly point out a mental illness in someone who has committed a murder. Those with mental illnesses are no more likely to commit crimes than those without. By linking mental illness with straight jackets and padded cells, it seems to do more damage than good.
Certainly, NAMI disagrees with their approach as well. As Deneb mentioned-it sure does give the shop publicity, and I think negative publicity about those who suffer from mental illness.
Thanks for posting your thoughts.
poster:psych chat
thread:921400
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090930/msgs/921652.html