I think a lot of it is down to people not knowing the facts about a lot of mental illnesses. People then assume the worst and that fear leads to prejudice.

I think people tend to struggle more coping with others whose illness (or difference) is not necessarily visible.

Isn't it?

I mean people would rightfully view groundless suspicion, ignorance and prejudice with the same disdain not that being an ethnic minority or gay is an illness or negative.

According to the Catholic church one of them is.....

It is a pity that mental illness still gets the bad press, after all one in five people are affected by mental illness in some form. The media highlights sporting personalitiess, and I recall a heavy weight boxer getting a real turnover by the press. Sadly very little coverage when he had a full recovery.

I remember Robbie Paul coming to the Uni to do a talk about mental health a couple of years ago, he was very insightful and very honest about his own struggles on that front. He said it was a very difficult thing to broach with other players, but that when he was able, he'd been surprised how many others had experienced similar difficulties.

All good stuff this folks. More so because it's being dealt with in a serious and considerative manner. Some other boards/there posters should take note



One of the best / most informative reads about, IMHO, is "The Little Book of The Mind" - from down this neck of the woods - and was one of the best sources of information I've come across.

I did some research/work a few months back for a couple of self help groups down here and it really opened my eyes to the nonsense that people have to cope with and the difficulties that some people have to face.

Being viewed as "weak" and/or "damaged" was a reoccurring view that was raised on a regular basis.

MBBB's stats are, at the same time, both enlightening and frightening.

I have suffered from stress and depression for most of my adult life (no easy gags guys

) and know all about what it is like to suffer, particularly when other people have no idea exactly what is going on. Despite my oft message board personality, I have always been one who tries to have fun at any event/in the workplace etc and generally I try to see the day through with a laugh and a joke.

However, this just seems to make the situation worse. The amount of times I have heard people say "How can someone like YOU suffer from depression?" almost as if I am merely making things up in order to try and get some sympathy. Sympathy does not work as it only makes the problem worse (for me) but a bit of understanding is what is needed.

However, when I meet people who have similar "issues" it is heartening to hear that they suffer from exactly the same syptoms as myself as it therefore helps to know that I am not as "mad" as I perhaps think I am at time.

Depression is a very lonely illness and cannot really be understood by non-sufferers or trained psychologists but it is something that can be coped with, given the right support.

I might even have to seek out a copy of BP's recommended book. I am sure that that would help.

I can understand people feeling uncomfortable or genuinely making the wrong comment due to not knowing how you should approach such things due to a lack of education and mental illness still being a but taboo. Hope this is a thing of the past sooner rather than later.

But what I really can't understand is the amount of people who are quite openly rude, hostile and dismissive. These people should realise the effect this has on a persons quality of life.

I know exactly what you mean by this and yes understanding is what is required.