1. Beyond Labels…. Beyond Stigma... Beyond staying silent Elaine Fogarty

2. I’m just an ordinary girl… Working an ordinary job…
In an ordinary town…
I don’t stand out in a crowd….

3. But I have a mental illness

4. I have my share of challenges
And…
I have my share of challenges
of crisis
of self-harm issues
&
of suicidal thinking

5. Like I said…. Just an ordinary girl But it all still found me…

6. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate… But sadly… Some people do….
And with that comes STIGMA

7. There are lots of reasons….
But

8. Dramatic disparity between Physical & Mental acceptance
It seems to me that the
Dramatic disparity between
Physical & Mental acceptance
Comes from a simple lack of understanding

9. It’s a myth that everyone who self harms
Take self-harm…..
It’s a myth that everyone who self harms
is female

10. It’s a myth that everyone who self harms is an angst-ridden teenager

11. It’s a myth that most who self harm are part of a dark sub-culture

12. It’s a myth that most who self harm are trying to kill themselves

13. It’s a myth that most who self harm are just seeking attention

14. That self-harm and mental illness are often strongly linked
It’s true though
That self-harm and mental illness
are often strongly linked
and it’s true that self-harm
carries with it a horrendous amount of STIGMA

15. People just don’t understand…
They don’t know me…
But they judge me

16. mental illness and my self-harm labels me
The STIGMA of my
mental illness and my self-harm
labels me
selfish – attention seeking – frightening
unworthy – unintelligent – incapable
manipulative --- and YES ---
WEAK

17. Stigma labels me weak – but I’m NOT weak
I may even be the strongest person you know!

18. It takes strength most can’t imagine
to get out of bed every day and face the world
while constantly battling with
your own mind

19. and see the illness staring back
To look in the mirror
and see the illness staring back
To sometimes feel lost and invisible
in the middle of your own life

20. tempt and tease and wear you down
To hear thoughts that
tempt and tease and wear you down

21. totally isolated and misunderstood
To feel
totally isolated and misunderstood
and --- yes --- quite often --- scared

22. especially when there are scars or OCD behaviours
It’s tough sometimes
especially when there are scars or OCD behaviours
that put you under the spotlight
and make you vulnerable

23. I have enough to deal with…
I shouldn’t have to deal with
stigma too…

24. I don’t need the judgement
the assumptions
the whispers
the jokes at my expense

25. Labels belong on
clothing and food cans
NOT on people.

26. People shouldn’t be judged and treated differently
just because they have a mental illness
or because they have rituals or they self-harm

27. Stigma just isn’t acceptable

28. It’s not clever or funny It’s not innocent
It not justifiable – at all !!

29. We all have a part to play in this….. We can each make a difference.
It doesn’t have to stay this way….

30. We need to start thinking about mental illness and self-harm
and suicidal thinking
in the same way we think
about physical illness
and the challenges it brings

31. We need to offer empathy
in the same way

32. We need to offer understanding
in the same way

33. practical help and support
We need to offer
practical help and support
in the same way

34. We need to drop the labels
The assumptions
The judgements

35. STIGMA is divisive and dangerous
It thrives on ignorance and fear

36. If together, we find ways to challenge that ignorance and fear …. then
mental illness will be… just an illness

37. And people will be
Just people

38. I decided to be open about my mental illness For just that reason…
I have found hope, I have found recovery
I’m not a victim anymore

39. I know STIGMA won’t disappear overnight but I’m here to tell you….
I’m realistic
I know STIGMA won’t disappear overnight
but I’m here to tell you….
it’s NOT unbeatable !

40. Small shifts in understanding can make a real difference

41. So that’s why I invite you to explore what people are saying…
about
what it feels like to live a life
challenged by mental illness

42. www.bipolarlainey.wordress.com Mine is just one voice… just one story…
but I invite you to start your journey
here
or search Elaine Fogarty on YouTube