I speak out for mental health because – I never want another mother to experience what I did.
Blame, shame, discrimination and stigma are the result of NOT speaking out!
When I give a talk or blog or write articles, my message reaches many people who I can help, as I gained a lot of experience while living with my mentally ill son.
I learned a lot by watching how my son’s illness affected the rest of my family.
I am quite prepared to pass on any knowledge I have gained.
Talking about stuff in your brain is no different from talking about what is going on in the rest of your body. Why should a discussion on improving our physical health be different from improving our mental health. It isn’t brave to talk about mental illness. It should be natural as the things that are happening in our brains so it’s not really special to talk about it. IF we see someone sweating in the gym or puffing and panting in a pool, it would not occur to us to tell those people that they are brave because they talked about their activities, right?
I think that if somebody tells me that I am brave because I talk so openly about my son’s illness and subsequent suicide, I think that they are only reacting to their fears . The only way to to make talking about mental illness normal, is to treat it as something normal.
Jill's Experiences with Mental Health , Stigma, Alzheimer's Disease, Grief & Grieving & serenade2seniors 
Granny, it’s been a while I commented on your post. You are very right in all you say, yet we both know that’s sadly not the case. There is still so much stigma and shame and discrimiantion around mental illness conversations and existence. Sending love all the way, Marie
Reblogged this on Marie Abanga's Blog and commented:
I really love this post although and helas, there is still so much stigma, shame, discrimination and that huge embarassement surrounding any discussions or existence of mental illness. We can only do our widow’s mite. My current memoir in progress is very much around mental illness, my mental challenges, as I strive to survive and thrive each day. Thank you Granny for sharing. I’ll also use any opportunity I have to speak about mental illness… and you gentle readers?
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein.
Excellent!!
You are wonderful and so is your concern for mental health! Sorry about your son and his sufferings – may his soul rest in peace!
Your pain has strengthened you, giving you the necessary courage to talk about mental illness which is a great service to others in the same situation making them understand that an illness is just an illness meant to be treated and not concealed.
Great job – carry on with your good work, and thanks for the healing post!
Jill, thank you for speaking out. You will no doubt touch many lives. I look forward to reading more from you. Your son would be proud I am sure. XX
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