Mental Illness: What a difference a friend makes
One of the hardest things about suffering from mental illness is the damage that it can do to the relationships in your life. Family, lovers and friends are all dramatically affected in learning that you suffer from a mental illness. The stigmas surrounding mental illness can be so powerful that friendships which were once strong and ever-lasting will become nothing more than a fleeting memory in the sands of time.
So it is always wonderful to come across initiatives which are dedicated to educating and supporting friends of those suffering from mental illness. Understanding what your friend is going through it key to understanding how you can help and support them towards recovery.
About the “What a Difference a Friend Makes” Initiative
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched the Mental Health Campaign for Mental Health Recovery to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. The prevalence of serious mental health conditions in this age group is almost double that of the general population, yet young people have the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviors. This group has a high potential to minimize future disability if social acceptance is broadened and they receive the right support and services early on.
The opportunity for recovery is more likely in a society of acceptance, and this initiative is meant to inspire young people to serve as the mental health vanguard, motivating a societal change toward acceptance and decreasing the negative attitudes that surround mental illness. Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation, enabling a person with a mental health problem to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential.
Our work is important. Discrimination and stigma have made it harder and harder for people with mental illnesses to keep a job, find a home, get health insurance, and find treatment.
This is a wonderful website and well worth a visit. Friendships, like any relationship, require time, effort and commitment.
Understand your friend’s problems and help them recover - in the long run, it’ll be worth it for both of you.
Visit the WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FRIEND MAKES initiative…
