Respect those with mental illness

Our society handles mental illness poorly. In our world, mental illnesses are not accepted or taken seriously.

It often takes extreme circumstances for someone suffering from a mental illness to get the help they need. Adolescents hide their true thoughts and feelings because they fear the label. People often joke about mental illnesses and make it seem juvenile adding more negativity to the situation.

Our society is also quick to label young children and commit to medicating them for the rest of their lives. Yet depression and anxiety go unnoticed. If one does seek help, they are often dismissed and signs are attributed to common sadness or stresses of daily life.

Mental illnesses can be debilitating if not treated, so why are they not taken seriously? As symptoms increase, the person suffering often misses out on many aspects of life.

Mental illness is a disability and deserves to be treated as one. People with mental illness need extra help and attention throughout life. They should be checked in on and accommodated in school, and in adulthood, they should be recognized for having a disability.

People who do not suffer from mental illness should not minimize it. Respect and support those with mental illnesses so they can get help.

Jordyn Martinez

Oak Creek