It's so easy to say I have a cardiac condition, or my blood pressure is through the roof, even talking about one's bowels is acceptable. But just acknowledge a mental illness, and the world looks at you differently -- with a little apprehension  especially after reading about mentally ill people who shoot people and who drive their cars into the water with their children in the back seat. 

The mentally ill are too often feared and disparaged

Lock them up, throw away the key. And once someone is on the mend, the illness managed, there are those who still say "would you want to sit on a bus with that guy?" "Would you want him living next door to you?".  There's no forgiveness, no opportunity for redemption.

There is an inability to believe that medication, proper supervision and some love can keep mentally ill people stable -- able to not only make it in this world, but contribute.

Fear is still fuelling our response to the mentally ill because the culture is filled with horror stories of "crazy" people. 

If we establish a mental health care system that includes family and friends in the care by sharing the medical information with them, these people, these human beings, have a better chance of recovery. We certainly have lots of care for those who need cardiac rehab. If family is informed, outcomes improve; medications will be taken and appointments kept to the point that the person with the illness knows that mental health, like physical health requires monitoring: forever.

Too many people with mental illness will not seek help for fear of the stigma, the derisive remarks, the lack of empathy. And too often when those with mental illness seek help-too little is available, often too late. The shame of mental illness is the shameful lack of care and caring.

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