Mental Health Stigma
Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness (44.7 million in 2016). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe (NIMH). Mental health in the United States has a stigma. Too often people view mental health negatively and discriminate against those with mental health issues. My sister is bipolar but I did not find out until after my dad died. She did not want anyone to know. We only found out because she had such a hard time. Her counseling time increased, her medication had to be changed, and with all of that, she needed more help with her two boys. My dad passing triggered anxiety in myself. It took five years for me to figure out what was 'wrong' with me. It not only took five years but it also took us moving over 6,000 miles to Taipei, Taiwan where I started working at the Community Services Center as a communications ma