My experience has varied. When I was younger I used to be a lot more apprehensive about sharing my experience with depression. I used to think that people would see me as a dysfunctional person; as if something was wrong with me or with my upbringing. I, of course, did not want to be labeled as a "crazy" person. I say this because in my culture (I'm from Mexico), mental health issues are stigmatized. In my home country, for example, every time someone brings up the issue of going to therapy (something that has helped me overcome my depression), someone usually jumps the gun and says, "Oh! That person is crazy. Crazy people need therapy." As a result, those suffering from mental health issues, including myself, are reluctant to share their experiences and, consequently, these issues go on untreated. This, of course, poses great risks for those experiencing mental health issues since the symptoms, at least in my experience, seem to worsen as time goes by.
Another example that comes to mind is my brother's experience with depression. He went into a deep depression after our oldest brother passed away. To this day, he still exhibits, much more than I do, signs of major depression. (For example, he lacks motivation, is not very social, and isolates himself from society.) I, on the other hand, have fared better, in part, because I live in a different country; a country that offers support systems and where mental health issues are, to some extent, more widely and openly discussed. My brother has not received treatment for his depression nor has he gone to see a therapist. He has not done any of this because he still lives in Mexico and he does not want to be labeled as a crazy person. On a personal level I find this to be sad. On a professional one I find it unfortunate.
Despite the stigma and misunderstanding around mental health issues, I have had my share of good experiences when sharing my experience. In 2006, when I first met my mentor, Elizabeth, I told her about my past experience with depression. I did not share a lot of details with her for fear that she would walk away from our relationship. But as I got to know her I came to trust her and I gradually began to share my story. To my surprise she said that she, too, had navigated the mental health system. Two years later, I decided to write an article about my experience with depression. In it, I even spoke about the importance of having a support system as a way of coping with depression.
Although I would like to talk about mental health issues more freely, I recognized that I can't go around spilling my guts to every person that I come across. I only do so with those that are close to me and those that seem to have an open mind. So far, though, the responses that I've got have been positive for the most part. And I am grateful for that.
I never thought that I would be sharing my mental health story, but here I am telling what needs to be told.
Well I am currently on two mental health panels that speak at conferences, and we all are active sharing our life stories to the community. I have spoken at six events this year; the last one was in April. I like to reach out and help people and I think that the best way to do this is by sharing my story.
I have just joined the MOFAS (Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) young adult board and I have spoken with them multiple times this year alone. I have had a wonderful experience with them the whole time I have been with them. When you're speaking and you listen to other people on your panel you tend to learn a ton about them – not just that but also how many things that youth with mental health challenges have in common. The best thing about sharing my mental health story is that the people make me feel that my story counts and I know for a fact that youth that share their mental health stories change lives and make a difference in this world!
I have been on the Pacer youth advisory board for about a year and a half. It is similar to MOFAS. I am currently the president on the Pacer board and when we have meetings we go by Roberts's Rules of Order (which stress the importance of full participation but also help maintain order). These rules help us to stay on task and also keep the chaos down. I have made a music video for a presentation on my story as a youth with mental health issues. A lot of people who have watched it said that it has made a difference in their lives, so this shows that using your talents can touch the lives of others. Speaking about my life and challenges has made me overall a better person than I was before I started these boards!
I have been blessed by having people listen to my story – anything that you do can make a difference. I have made a difference by serving the community that I am in. I feel proud to share my story because it is a part of me that I think that everybody should know. I love to tell people about all of the progress that I have made in my life and all of the problems and struggles that I have conquered because maybe it could give someone the hope that they need to carry on with life.
What do YOU think?
I dont share because people will never
understand. Posted Monday, May 14, 2012 by Carol -YMO Eugene at 12:08 PM
At times that I have spoke to others about
my experience I have gotten two main
responses.
One the genuine response of interest, they
want to learn. The eyes widen.
One the response of the skeptic, their
eyes glaze over, a fake smile. They want
me to say what I want to say, and get it
over with to move onto the next thing. Posted Saturday, May 12, 2012 by Uzza - YMO at 02:39 PM
There have been times when I would share an
experience I've had and it automatically got
minimize because I didn't meet the criteria of
serious. However, what was said had been, only
it wasn't express properly. Or maybe it was the
fact that I was so numb in the inside and
nobody could see the bad. I have a way of
showing I'm okay when not. People often can't
see past face-value. Posted Saturday, May 12, 2012 by Destinee -YMO at 09:56 AM
It's good to be able to talk about your
mental health issues. Talking about it
helps build a little character toward the
problem, and it shows that you're not
afraid of it. For instance, I have AD/HD
and I have no problems with telling it to
the world. If you have problems with
discussing it, it helps to look for ways
to make yourself comfortable with the
issue. Just look up and don't be afraid to
look down on those who make fun of you for
any issue you may have. Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Skylar at 04:02 PM
It is a powerful thing to be able to talk
to someone about mental health challenges.
There is a lot of stigma around mental
health so it can be scary to talk about it
with people, especially when you
experience mental health challenges. I
personally have been cautious about it in
the past because I wasn't sure how people
would react. Also in my family it isn't
something that we talked/ talk about it is
something that was pretended to not be. It
is an amazing relief to have someone to
talk to about your mental health
challenges who truly won't judge you and
understands to some extent what it is like
to experience a mental health challenge. Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Kat :P -YMO at 03:51 PM
i find it helpful most of the time to
share my ishus with others and helpful for
others as well . Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Devon C- YMO at 03:45 PM
"What has been your experience when sharing your mental health ((challenges)) with others?" I think that is a positive word, challenge, and I think it is right on target, I think I have had different challenges my whole life, and challenge is a word that if it were done right could be fun and maybe even prosperous, even if it doesn't seem like it at the moment and for some of us it hasn't, there are always others in our lives that are more than willing to turn it even more upside down that it has been or is, we struggle with it at times and it doesn't just go away, but we can over come it or learn to transcend it or live with it, there will be times when we will remember how we have been treated by others because of each of our own unique issues and how they have affected us, no one is the same, and this isn't a disease, it is a challenge to survive and sometimes some of the most horrific things, sometimes it is just a missing of others and feeling as if no one really cares about us, even if they do and they just don't understand, that is there right and it is our right not to always have to try to explain or make them understand it, or it should be, that would be something that I would wish could be different, is that children had the same rights in some ways as adults do, but they don't and sometimes it seems like no one really listens to them. That is a sad thing at times, not a brain disease or chemical imbalance, it is a result of the way that we are treated and mistreated due to all of it, us trying to explain things or ask questions that even most of you all don't understand, as I hear things are changing and the younger generation has a different perspective on some things than the older generations do, as to be more tolerant? Who knows, we all have our own rights or should, I don't know. I am not answering this question very well am I? It seems like when I tell the truth no one believes me and if I don't tell the truth, then they just walk all over me any way, what has been my experience with it, I found that it was best if I could tell who I wanted when I wanted and how I wanted and didn't have to be labeled, up until now I haven't really told my community, but then they begin to want to get nosy and ask me questions that I don't really want to answer for them, they don't understand, because it isn't a disease and it isn't all my fault and I am tired of being called a liar for telling and a liar if I don't. My health should be my health just the same as I wouldn't walk up to someone in a wheelchair and ask them why they can't walk you see, that is none of my business, the closest thing to right that I could maybe do is ask them if they need any help or what kind of help do they need or what do they need me to do or what do they need from me to help them, those kinds of questions are rarely really asked because others are too busy trying to make us comply if they are right or not, and mostly what I have found and I am old enough I can say it is that they were and are wrong in so many ways and so many times and at times it is them that is the real problem or that are causing problems to be worse and I hate to have to say that because that isn't things that people should be proud to call a job or get paid for, hurting others, and they do, so needlessly and in so many different kinds of ways, so many times, sorry I have to say it, but I will have to say it till things change, and I hope that some of you all will too. Peace Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Janie Lee, M.Ed. a 52 year old at 03:22 PM
When i share my mental health story so
many people both adults and teens have
looked at me in shock because i walk
around caring for others in a totally
different way growing up with so many
difficulties i took it as a opportunity to
relate and help others no matter what age.
Helping by using my experiances and wisdom
of what ive been through to help others is
Mind and Heart changing. I never saw
myself doing it but Youth move and
connecting with all the people has changed
that for me. Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Chris "TAZ" - YMO at 03:18 PM
I think the biggest thing is how
comfortable the person you are sharing
your mental health challenges with is
with mental health. If they aren't from
my experience it can be harder and they
may see you differently, treat you
differently or just not understand. If
they are comfortable with mental health
it can be a great thing to have another
person to talk to about stuff and to just
have it be out there. Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Sally- YMO at 12:39 PM
There have been times ive felt I was
going off the deep end and while talking
to professionals, the questions seemed
like an up hill battle. I felt like more
help would be made by training these
professionals to better understand
different sorts of mental disorders. Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by Chris- YMO at 12:36 PM
My experience has been very difficult. I
first started when I was in rehab and when
i started coming to the Youth M.O.V.E. i
had an opportunity to continue. At first
it was hard for me to talk about myself
and problems, but then as i did it more
and more and got more comfortable with the
people around me it got a lot easier. I
struggled with letting people in and
trusting people. As I got more comfortable
I was able to talk to others and then i
was able to support others in the same
shoes as me. It was a pretty amazing
experience to be honest, I actually
enjoyed working on my problems with others
because now I'm a lot different from the
kid I was freshman year. I'm a lot
stronger and feel more inspired to help
and support others. Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 by Jahondre Carter at 05:31 PM
just as martin has said about his sharing
experiences above, sometimes sharing your
mental health story can change someone
else's life, just as it could change your
own. it is an amazing experience when you
share with someone who has been through
the same things you have or when they can
relate to your story. when people relating
or sharing the same mental heath
disability as you can support you, it
makes more of an impact and a difference
that you actually know. Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 by Amanda Willard Youth M.O.V.E C at 05:27 PM
I have had a very positive experience when I have shared my mental health challenges with people who have experience with the issues I am faced with, but when it comes to those who don't understand, it becomes more difficult. I appreciate those who do not claim ignorance of the issues people like me deal with and decide to learn about the ways they can help instead. I believe that it is people like these that will change the world. Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 by David - Youth MOVE at 05:23 PM
My experience was very vague. because
Everyone used to think i was weird
because i had very special way of
working with things. But there was also
times where people thought it was
awesome because of the variations of the
problems i encountered throughout life
then went passed it. So with the
supporters I have made my life better
then what it was. And being diagnosed
with adhd and NF1 (Neurofibromatosis) It
was hard to work around it so wouldn't
hurt my back. But when i got support
from family it help me motivate to work
harder. then i got stronger then before.
And People hardly notice it anymore.
Except when i drink coffee then i just
fall asleep haha. Lately I have been
recognized as the man who can! Which
makes me feel proud of myself because i
was able to break through those walls
that people said i couldn't. Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 by -Geoff Y.M.O at 05:13 PM
They have never heard of it or they only
heard of it but didn't know what it was.
Others knew a little bit about it but not
a whole lot of it. While a small few knew
fully what it was.
I think people should be more aware about
all types of mental disabilities and it
should be taught and talked about within
schools and just about anywhere else. Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 by McKendra McKenzie - YMO at 05:12 PM
derrick-youthmove clackamas
To have a support that can be counted on
for anything. especially a mental
disability helps me move forward with my
life. to make a connection to something
that helps me is something i count on to
be happy and content. for everything that
has happened to me the things that people
can connect with make me feel like i mean
something and for that i thank everyone. Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 05:09 PM
ya i think i like martin
-shadow fire youth oregon Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 05:09 PM