If you missed it, the short documentary film about mental illness, including depression and anxiety — “Opening
Minds, Ending Stigma: A Young Person’s Perspective” — that first aired Saturday night on WDIV-TV can be viewed online.
The video is the second documentary in a
series produced by the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority with support from
the Detroit-based Ethel & James Flinn Foundation. It remains available at dwmha.com and on YouTube.
health care. The National Institute of Mental Health describes ‘depressive
illness’ as a ‘disorder of the brain’ — not a personal weakness,” said Tom
Watkins, DWMHA director.
“You cannot separate the mind from the rest of the body.
The brain is arguably our most important organ – it houses our
personality, emotions, memories, and more. But, ironically, the rest of the
body is privileged in medical treatment. Imagine having cancer, diabetes or
high blood pressure and being afraid to tell someone about it for fear of
society’s reaction.”
journalist Cynthia Canty, features Gov. Rick Snyder, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.
The message: Mental illness is a disease that affects
every zip code.
were sent away and institutionalized. Today, things are better, but
stigmatizing beliefs still lead to discrimination in the housing market,
in employment, in education and often lead to violence against those with the
disease,” Watkins wrote in a piece for Dome Magazine co-authored by Andrea
 |
| Watkins |
Cole, CEO of the Flinn Foundation. “People with mental health issues are more
likely to be the victim of a crime than the perpetrator. Awareness is the first
step toward changing behavior.
simply go away. Most mental health issues present themselves by age 24,
which means mental illness is an issue that affects the lives and schooling of
high school and college-aged youths. Conditions grow worse without
treatment, and adulthood only brings about more responsibilities. The
transition into adulthood is stressful for everyone, but for those with mental
illness, it can be unbearable.”
