In recognition of Rebecca’s Dream’s 15 years of CHANGING THE FACE OF DEPRESSION, December’s Newsletter focused on successful and important mental health progress.

However, although reliable and scientific knowledge is readily available ~ stigma remains alive and well. Unfortunately.

Patrick Corrigan of The University of Chicago acknowledges ~ a high degree of stigmatization caused concern and anxiety for those living with mental illness, especially when seeking employment and housing. Should I disclose? Should I not disclose? Stigma produces shame about oneself, which Corrigan stated, prevents those in need from seeking help. (“How Stigma Interferes with Mental Health Care” American Psychologist, October 2004).

Beliefs regarding mental illness are changing but too many continue to blame the ‘person’ for making a choice rather than understanding and accepting mental illness is a real disease.

Would you willfully choose to live with depression and bipolar disorder?

Try harder! Cheer up! Others are worse off! Exercise More! Get more sunshine! Well-meaning advice, which hurts rather than helps by failing to address the need for trained medical assistance and often medication to reduce symptoms.

Salwah Meghjee wrote “it makes sense that a friend’s first response would be to try helping me…but imposing solutions on me implies that my decision to try conventional forms of treatment, like therapy and medication, are poor choices. I’ve dedicated all my time and energy to treat my illness, but these friends don’t see how hard I’m trying and think I’m not working hard enough.” (“Stick It to Stigma” dailycal.org)

Rebecca’s Dream, like Salwah Meghjee, dedicates its time and energy to PROMOTING AWARENESS AND COMPASSIONATE UNDERSTANDING OF DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR DISORDR AS REAL DISEASES.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission and vision.

We are grateful.

“IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD”