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How to Share You Have Mental Illness (and How to Listen)
- 1. How to Share You Have Mental Illness (and How to Listen) -Adapted from Hufsa Ahmad’s 2nd TEDx talk
- 2. MY STORY First, I will share my journey of what it’s like to be “out” about my mental illness and what I’ve learned.
- 3. “ 8 years ago: I was sitting on the floor crying, in fetal position, feeling ashamed. I whispered my deepest secret to my friend: I…have… diabetes.
- 4. “ I’m kidding. That story doesn’t make sense, until I tell you my secret was: I have mental illness.
- 5. Stigma is the shame and discrimination associated with mental illness. It has aspects of both Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder…so yes, I won the genetic lottery ;) My illness started when I was 10 years old when I was bullied, became depressed, and attempted suicide. Growing up I developed more symptoms, had more suicide attempts, and began stigmatizing myself. I have schizoaffective disorder. STIGMA
- 6. “ I told myself, “You’re stupid, you’re crazy, you’re never going to get better.”
- 7. I realized that I was not alone, and that recovery was possible. It was a class just for people with mental illness to connect and learn from each other. For the first time, I shared my story and it was such a cathartic experience. I started to feel better and started to share my story. I took a Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Course. TURN OF THE TIDE
- 8. “ When I was first told people about my diagnosis, I got stigmatizing reactions. “Are you sure you’re crazy? Doesn’t everyone have mood swings? Why don’t you try kombucha?”
- 9. CENTERS FORDISEASE CONTROL ANDPREVENTION
- 10. “ (Kombucha was the worst one.)
- 11. Like Batman, I have a secret – one that I am not ashamed of. This time I was not ashamed of having mental illness. I recognized it was a condition like diabetes or heart disease, not one to be ashamed of. This time, my friends welcomed me with open arms and I was not stigmatized. I came from a place of strength. THIS TIME, WHEN I TOLD PEOPLE…
- 12. “ One year ago, I came out to the world about my mental illness in my first TEDx talk.
- 14. From fans on the Internet, friends, other students, some colleagues, and more. SUPPORT MIXED REACTIONS From haters on the Internet, family members due to cultural stigma, some colleagues. LACK OF SUPPORT
- 15. I told my professor that I have mental illness. She said, “TAKE YOUR MEDS! TAKE YOUR MEDS!” I thought, “Lady, you’re 70 years old, I could say the same to you!” OTHER STIGMA SOME EXAMPLES OF STIGMA My aunt was talking about arranging my marriage. She didn’t want me to tell the prospective husband that I have mental illness. I said, “Auntie, that’s unethical.” But she justified it with her own experience. “Well, I didn’t tell your uncle that I have fibromyalgia.” (LOL) CULTURAL STIGMA
- 16. “ No matter the reception, my story can save lives. So I choose to be out about having mental illness. I choose to be a Stigma Smasher.
- 19. 43.8 million adults experience mental illness in a given year NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
- 20. 45,000 People died by suicide in 2016 CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
- 21. “ The recent tragic suicides of Kate Spade & Anthony Bourdain stimulated the conversation about mental health and suicide.
- 23. “ Prince Harry and Oprah are starting a mental health TV series. And you know something will be big if it involves royalty and Oprah.
- 24. IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.
- 25. That being said – I can’t tell you whether you should disclose or not, because it is a personal decision. But I can tell you the risk, benefits, and guidelines. According to Dr. Patrick Corrigan, leading stigma researcher (Illinois Institute of Technology). …is for ordinary individuals to share they have mental illness. THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF COMBATING STIGMA
- 26. RISKS & BENEFITS Individuals must carefully consider the risks and benefits before sharing they have mental illness.
- 27. Rejection RISKS
- 34. Empowering BENEFITS Self-esteem Protective Factor Against Stigma Support System
- 36. “ Like Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can….decide if you want to share that you have mental illness.” (Didn’t want to break copyright there)
- 37. GUIDELINES FOR SHARING Share with people you have a strong relationship with. It is not a confession, and you don’t have to share more than what you want to, including your diagnosis.
- 38. Place of strength GUIDELINES FOR SHARING
- 39. Place of strength GUIDELINES FOR SHARING Especially not confession
- 40. Place of strength GUIDELINES FOR SHARING Especially not confession Past and current
- 41. Place of strength GUIDELINES FOR SHARING Especially not confession Past and current Strong relationship
- 42. GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING Empathize, be supportive, and don’t judge.
- 43. Listen GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING - DOs
- 44. Listen GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING - DOs Empathize
- 45. Listen GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING - DOs Empathize Ask how you can support them
- 46. Listen GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING - DOs Empathize Ask how you can support them Disclose similar experiences
- 47. Judge GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING – DON’Ts
- 48. Judge GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING – DON’Ts Unsolicited Advice
- 49. Judge GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING – DON’Ts Unsolicited Advice Dismiss
- 50. Judge GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING – DON’Ts Unsolicited Advice Dismiss Gossip
- 51. Judge GUIDELINES FOR LISTENING – DON’Ts Unsolicited Advice Dismiss Gossip Expect
- 52. RESOURCES Information beyond this presentation.
- 53. National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org Honest, Open, Proud: Program that Assists with Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Disclosing www.comingoutproudprogram.org National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) FURTHER RESOURCES
- 55. FOR BOOKING Hufsa Ahmad is available for booking for talks, presentations, workshops, interviews, and more. Website: www.mentally-chill.com E-mail: hufsa@mentally-chill.com
Editor's Notes
- I am willing to endure consequences