There are many discussions of the need for support and social acceptance for family issues such as alcoholism, gambling, divorce and even the terminally ill. Frequently the phrase, “You are not alone.“ is used when addressing families and children who are dealing with these issues. A different world of struggling, suffering, and erroneous social stigma exists. A world where mommy and/or daddy are at home and may appear perfectly fine, yet the child feels no stability, all alone, and wishes someone would understand.
Mental Illness is the invisible disease that invades millions of homes. For those who suffer from Bipolar Disorder, this is a chronic illness that effects their daily lives. Despite Hollywood’s attempt to glamorize a life threatening disease (Although many persons with bipolar disorder who attempt suicide never actually complete it, the annual average suicide rate in men and women with diagnosed bipolar disorder (0.4%) is more than 20 times that in the general population (3). From another perspective, about half of all suicides can be attributed to bipolar disorder (4).)* and despite the multitudes of creative genius produced by bipolar poets, artists, musicians, the social stigma is debilitating to a family. It impedes the entire mental health communities attempts of eliminating ignorance. This ignorance and miss-information also prevents so many from getting the help they need; usually resulting in self-medication or death. Help that could result in a child transitioning to adulthood with no one to guide them but the instability of an untreated mentally ill family member.
Children in the homes of mentally ill family members need to be educated and informed just like the adult members of the family. Discussing the illness with the children of the household helps to disspell any myths or misinformation they may have heard or seen on television. The children in the home need a support system just like a spouse or parent of a mentally ill individual would. An excellent author and advocate for the mentally ill is writer Bebe Moore Campbell. Campbell’s children’s book Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry is a wonderful way to open the discussion of mental illness with young children. A raw story about a little girl who sometimes has to take care of her self. A girl for children who are surviving the struggles of mental illness to relate to.
Without increased awareness and education to our communities, the children of the mentally ill households will be ignored. They will continue to grow with the stigma around them and many individuals will continue to go without treatment. With the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill giving the United States a “D” average for mental health care this past February, it is time for major attention and reform to mental health care services. This must include ongoing campaigns for education and awareness. Education infiltrated through the school systems just like the Disability Awareness campaigns. It is time for our children to stop feeling alone.
*Citrome L, Goldberg JF. Bipolar disorder is a potentially fatal disease. Postgrad Med.com/issues/02 2005;117(2):9-11
L.G. Larsen is a writer specializing in promoting awareness and education about Bipolar Disorder.
Find more information at http://mercurialmindbipolarblog.blogspot.com/.
