In an article for the NAMI blog, Gretchen Grappone talks about her personal journey with depression, including 10 years on Social Security Disability, unhelpful attitudes from health professionals, and completing her MSW by rejecting stigma. In response to the seeing the harmful effects of stigma in her own life and the lives of her clients, Grappone has developed a stigma-reduction training curriculum for health care providers called “Overcoming Stigma.” Click the title to learn more about her personal story, the 7 types of stigma, and examples from the curriculum.
Living Under the Stigma of an Invisible Illness
This Distorted Perceptions original article outlines one woman’s experience living with invisible physical and behavioral health conditions and it’s impact in the workplace, educational system, healthcare, and personal relationships. Check out the infographics for practical suggestions on combating stigma for loved ones, employers/ colleagues, educators, healthcare providers, and people experiencing invisible illness.
Personal Story: Mares, the Strength of a Family
Dads Can Get Depression During and After Pregnancy, Too
“Depression in dads is, in fact, a relatively common phenomenon―affecting anywhere between 2% and 25% of them during their partner's pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), this rate can increase to 50% when the mother also has perinatal/postpartum depression. And it can take a serious toll on the family's wellbeing, specifically their children's.” Check out the full article from HealthyChildren.org for the full article including risk factors, symptoms, screening, and information on getting help.
Mental Health Stigma Kept this Man in the Shadows
As an Iowa community discussed the construction of a new inpatient mental health hospital in 2018, Marty Parrish responded to their stigmatizing remarks by sharing his personal story with mental health and addiction issues and the importance of inpatient treatment for his recovery. "I was always afraid of being judged because of the stigma against people with mental health," he said in a recent interview. "But after that very hostile meeting in Clive, I had to tell my story. I had to talk."
Real Men, Real Depression
“Depression is a serious but treatable medical condition -- a brain disease -- that can strike anyone, including men. In America alone, more than 6 million men have depression each year.” The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH)’s Real Men, Real Depression campaign includes brochures and videos of a wide variety of men speaking candidly about their experiences with depression. Follow the “Source” link to access the full campaign archive from NIMH.
#SameHere testimonial: Jim Dowd
Your Head: An Owners Manual
“Having a mental health problem doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or that you’re weak, not manly, or that you’re losing your masculinity. In fact, quite the opposite is true. We believe that admitting to yourself (and others, if necessary) that you have a problem, and getting the help you need is a sign of great strength.” This resource from The Men’s Health Network discusses the importance of mental wellness for a man’s overall health, identifying symptoms of a problem and practical interventions.
Mental Health Challenges for Older Americans (Infographic)
A Quiet Drug Problem Among the Elderly
“For years, geriatricians and researchers have sounded the alarm about the use of benzodiazepines among older adults… Now the opioid epidemic has generated fresh warnings, because pain relievers like Vicodin (hydrocodone with Tylenol) and OxyContin (oxycodone) are also frequently prescribed for older people. When patients take both, they’re at risk for overdosing… But fatal overdoses — which are a comparatively tiny number given the size of the older population — represent just one of many longtime concerns about these medications.”