Stigma

Most of us have experienced symptoms of mental illness, even psychosis, regardless of whether or not we have been diagnosed. Recognizing this fact can help us have more empathy for those who have been diagnosed.

Do TV shows accurately depict mental illnesses? Do they help defeat stigma? Maybe. Here are three examples.

anonymous
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I Live The Stigma The emails are coming in fast and furious, nearly quicker than I can respond. Thing is that it’s late and I’m falling asleep, so let’s finish this off. Just email me her number and I’ll give Sarah (name is changed) a call tomorrow to put things in motion. Then one last Read More …

Allison Alt
Allison Alt
Allison Alt made Aliyah in 2013 and now lives in Givat Shmuel, Israel. She is studying occupational therapy at Ono Academic College.
Allison Alt
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When I was young, I was selfish, narcissistic even. I thought the world revolved around me. Yet, within that self-centered bubble, I would on occasion feel pain for another, such as the old lady alone on the park bench or the girl I sometimes bullied. Even in the dark mind I had let myself create, the Read More …

Ariel Mintz, MD
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Ariel Mintz, MD
Dr. Ariel Mintz grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After spending two years learning in Israel, at Derech Eitz Chaim and Shaalivm, he earned his BA in Psychology at Yeshiva Univesity in New York. He went on to obtain his MD at Oakland University William Beaumont School of medicine and trained in adult psychiatry at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. He completed a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and is a practicing psychiatrist in Cleveland, Ohio. He has received awards for his research, academic performance, and service to the Jewish community. He has a supportive and talented wife and three wonderful children. He is very passionate about destigmatizing mental illness and bringing comfort to those who are suffering.
Ariel Mintz, MD
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Why is mental illness different from all other illnesses? Support 1) For with all other illnesses, when you hear someone is hospitalized, you visit, call or offer support. While with mental illnesses, if you hear someone is hospitalized, you pretend you didn’t hear and avoid the person for fear of not knowing what to say.

Chaim Ancier
Chaim Ancier
Head of Marketing at Refuat Hanefesh
Chaim Ancier, MSW, LICSW graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business and then from Wurzweiler’s School of Social Work. He has worked with families and individuals to obtain social services, taught independent living skills, and helped disadvantaged children develop social skills. He has lectured faculty and students on bullying and its long term effects and worked with chronically ill Psychiatric patients at a state hospital and nursing home. Currently, he is a county supervisor for a team of social workers and public health nurses.
Chaim Ancier
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At the forefront of today’s debate-happy society is the question of what constitutes fake news and which culprits are relaying said fake reports. What is generally agreed upon, though, is that fake news can do real damage. One such area where irresponsible reporting has done damage is in the field of mental health.     Mental Illness Read More …

Shanee Markovitz
Shanee Markovitz
Shanee Markovitz was born in Israel and grew up Southern Florida. She is currently in the honors program at Stern College for Women. Shanee is a big proponent of destigmatizing mental health and being open about it. Her own experiences, including her mother's suicide, have led her to get involved, speak out, and make a difference. She has written popular articles on numerous sites including the Forward and is in the process of writing a book about various mental health topics. She speaks in public forums about the effect mental illness has had on her life and the wisdom she has attained from her struggles, as well as the impact mental health has on individuals and communities. She is devoted to seeing the stigma of mental illness disappear during her lifetime. She would love for you to join with her on the quest to destigmatize mental illness and support those in need.
Shanee Markovitz
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A huge part of the stigma surrounding mental illnesses involves the notion that a person living with a mental illness will be unsuccessful. This claim is simply not true, and I chose eight accomplished and/or famous people who live with a mental illness and also fight the stigma and #breakthesilence to prove it.

Anonymous Male
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I am about to tell you why you should NOT care at all about mental illness. Yes, you read that right. While that might sound completely contradictory to the essence of this blog, it isn’t. In fact, understanding this reality is the first step in changing the way we approach mental health and as I Read More …