Mental illness is so stigmatised, I sometimes wish my son had had cancer

I’ve never found any organised non-medical support for us or our son in Australia’s health system, for example, and I’m good at looking for it.I know Australia’s health system is considered excellent but in many critical ways, mental health is a disgrace. In particular, any care for the allied needs of the ill person and their family are non-existent.

On the contrary, navigating systems had been almost impossible, and to this was added the stigma and ostracism also experienced from their family and friends. Three years after our son first became sick, we’re still taking it day by day and are still shaky. We shouldn’t still be in crisis, but in effect we are. This is hard to write and feels shameful, but it’s the truth.Luckily, my husband and I are close and can support each other and our children, and they’ve supported us, too. We were also able to pay for some counselling help. But our family became, and remains, far more isolated than before.

I’m also ashamed to say there’ve been times I wished my son had cancer instead. Because after assisting family and friends through cancer, I’ve some idea of the concern that tends to wrap around them. I know that’s a terrible thing to say, but the craving for empathy is real, and the needs of a family with severe mental illness in its ranks can be as great – or greater – than those with other diseases.

This all so true, you spend all your energy trying to get the correct help needed. The Mental Health System is severely underfunded and it cannot continue like this. And it’s so true no one understands unless you too are going through it.

It shouldn't be stigmatized either

Very sad but it is true.

Mental health issues are very difficult to treat, lots of overlapping greys. The families are the real heroes.

So sad to read this .... it could be such a different outcome with the right programs and care ....

Sorry to hear your story here I must say though that mental illness is tough on all of us. Many of us handle it by simply not responding. My sister had mental issues & most of my family slowly distanced theirselves from her. This is a sad but natural human reaction to the unknown

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