What is it with Stigmas?
I decided there were a few craft skills that I would like to learn. My first was Art, I found this very relaxing but really did not feel this is what I wanted to do.
I then decided I would learn Patchwork Quilting, Crocheting and Knitting. These three, I thoroughly enjoyed and felt a sense of accomplishment.
Let’s go back to the Art lessons, when I told people I was having Art lessons they were very supportive, asked questions and thought it was a great idea.
When I told people I was having Patchwork Quilting, Crocheting and Knitting lessons they laughed and said ‘really’. That was it, full stop. I must admit, I was taken back by their reactions as I was very proud of myself. If I did not have a healthy self – esteem, I could be in a self- doubting mode now
Is the perception, 1) Art you are creative, clever, 2) Patchwork Quilting, Crocheting and Knitting, you are old and have nothing better to do?
From my Craft experience I then realised how tough it must be for someone with a Mental Health Issue. How much stigma do these people have to put up with and why?
Are they different from us? Do they have something we can catch? I can’t be seen talking to them, why not? Is this typical? And why is this, the case?
Unfortunately these Stigmas can stick and they should not. Stigma not only affects the person with Mental Health Issues, it also affects family members, relatives and friends who are connected to the person with Mental Health Issues.
Let’s try and walk in the shoes of the person who has a Mental Health Issue and try and understand what they are going through. Let’s try and in walk in the shoes of the family’s, friends and relatives who are connected to the person with a Mental Health Issue.
If we don’t try and be compassionate and understanding who will? How do we know if one day we or someone we love, have a Mental Health Issue, and then, how would we cope?
So let’s go back to my Craft experience, it is quite small in comparison to Mental Health, however, the experience was ‘Stigma’. I am lucky, I can cope with it and even have a giggle about it, but, people who have Mental Health Issues may not be able to giggle or understand