Today is Memorial day in the US..We commemorate sacrifices of our fallen heroes of war, the remaining veterans and those who actively serve.
We also remember the families who made sacrifices ..and we feast and shop!
But there is a group of heroes whose sacrifices and heroism on various battle fronts are confined to the shadows, their families and loved ones still cowering under the fear of stigma- of mental health.
This May marks the 70th year of National mental health awareness month but the needle has not moved much.
Society, military and civil, still struggles to understand that some heroes of physical war, suffered another battle, a medical one, whose loud sounds and blinding light could only be heard and seen by the sufferer themselves – until late.
馃憠For some the greatest battle was a decision to put life in harm’s way even after experiencing signs of mental anguish undetected and untreated.
Off they went sucking up the pain of their broken emotions
馃憠Even for those who did not tread on the physical site of combat, the hammer of impending wait was no lighter on their health.
馃憠Yet others,to survive did “whatever” they could .The “whatever” got some penalized from getting the help they needed in the heath service they deserved to be in.
馃憠And there were those who were convinced that action speaks louder than words – mental heath was a taboo in service.
They waited it out but an illness rolls on while we wait.
Sometimes its too late.
In almost 3 decades of practice, I have had patients or heard about those in these categories from family members.
We have had scientific studies for solutions but we still lose these young men and women, 20 – 22 a day.
Sometimes the answers we seek are “blowing in the wind”-the wind right under our noses
Each of us must look in the mirror and ask if we understand the commonest group of illnesses associated with suicide , “Depression”
Make an effort to understand, to have compassion for those who suffer from it, succumb to it and for the family and friends who are left behind.
Let today’s commemoration be the one we look back on as the day of better insight into these group of illnesses.
No one is immune, though like other illnesses, some are more at risk.
Thank you to all on this platform who through your shares, likes and comments promote mental health and encourage dignity and respect for those who are affected by Mental illnesses
May the souls of all veteran suicide victims rest in peace
May their families and loved ones be comforted and may the rest of us work harder to reduce the awful numbers!
Below was at the open house in my unit to recognize National Mental health awareness day
鈽漅emember. “Depression” comes in many types. Being diagnosed with the right type matters to the success of your treatment”馃憤
