Anti-stigma media campaign

I listened to the interview with Gregor Henderson and Jeff Cheverton about requesting more Government funding to campaign against stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness. I think this is really a catch 20 situation. All the hard work put into this anti-stigma campaign can be washed away by one single isolated incidence of violence committed by mentally ill people. Early this year, the New York Times published an article on 'The Americanization of mental illness’ and the author pointed out that the root of the ‘stigma’ is the biomedical/genetic beliefs about mental disorders which drives people to want to have less contact with the mentally ill and thought of them as more dangerous and unpredictable. There are numerous studies around to world to support this claim.

I am a beyondblue Ambassador since 2008 and I have published my own research findings on how Chinese-Australians managed their emotional distress and their views on stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill. People who have had first hand experience with the illness (myself included) and those who have friends and family members touched by the illness tend to have more sympathy towards people with the illness. Last year during the World Mental Health Week, I was the guest of the SBS Chinese Radio Talk-back program to share some ‘Stress-less Tips’ with the Cantonese-speaking audience. One person rang up to talk about her own personal experience with mental-ill health and how lucky she was to have full support from her family. She was able to lead a relatively normal life. I praised her for her courage to so openly share her story with the audience.

Just last week (27th April), the Black Dog Institute hosted a free community forum and invited Dr Richard Simpson, a colorectal surgeon to share his insight into dealing with depression and strategies for building resilience. His personal story is very powerful in conveying the message that ‘Yes, mental illness is more common than you would have thought! Yes, it could strike anyone, rich or poor! Yes, that is light at the end of the tunnel! Survivors/Consumers can still be a positively contributing member of society!’ At the end of the talk, I raised my hand to ask Richard a question, “Richard, would you consider sharing your recovery journey with a wider audience?’
I strongly believe media campaign plus events where ordinary people could INTERACT with survivors/consumers of mental illness CAN make a difference to fight stigma and discrimination!