Changing stigma of mental illness

October 24, 8:21 PMCharlotte Disabled Community ExaminerMaggie Heafner

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Social stigma is something we have all faced at some point in our lives. Debatably,  individuals with mental illness face an increased amount of stigma. Dr Gregory K. Fritz, academic director at Bradley Hospital and who also served as editor for the Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter for Brown University, equates the stigma of mental illness today to the stigma of Leprosy in the past.

Actress Glenn Close and her sister Jessie, understand the prejudices of mental illness all too well. Jessie suffers from Bipolar disorder and Jessie’s son suffers from another mental illness. This past week, Jessie, Glenn and other sufferers of mental illness and their supporters hit mainstream media. With stories on morning talk shows and a very moving television spot, the two sisters and others hope to make the stigma of mental illness a thing of the past.

With the help of The Child and Adolescent Behavior Foundation, Foundation House, and the International Mental Health Research Association, the Close family has started a non-profit organization called BringChange2Mind.org as a way to combat the stigma of mental illness and raise awareness.

For resources and information regarding this nonprofit organization, you can visit their website here. For mental health resources in the Charlotte NC area, the Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas offers a list of contacts and information regarding all types of mental illness. You can view their website here or contact them locally at 704.365.3454.