As a consumer of mental health services, I feel it important to point out that mental illness is a manageable disorder of the brain.

We, who have mental illness, are often fearful of seeking out the needed help, due to the stigma associated with mental illness. Yet, to overcome the devastation of this illness, one must seek help.

There is a lot, we as consumers of mental health services, can do to help ourselves. Showing accountability by taking the medications that are prescribed, making sure we see our doctors and case workers, and educating ourselves on what it takes to stay in a wellness frame of mind is vital. Being open and honest with our psychiatric provider is equally important; they cannot help us if we are not forthcoming.

There are courses that are free of charge that function as tools that are helpful to further our recovery. When a consumer has a recovery educational tool, the possibilities of living in recovery are much greater. The best way to overcome the stigma associated with mental illness is to live a good life and show accountability in our actions. Nevertheless, the stigma associated with having mental illness is a horrid and painful situation. One in four citizens in the U.S. has a mental illness, so we cannot deny that the data points to how common disorders of the brain are. Stigma itself often holds consumers back from reaching their goals of living a life filled with high expectations and achievements.

Who among us wants to be considered less than another? To encourage an atmosphere of understanding, the public can educate itself about mental illness — what it is and what it’s not.

Having mental illness is not an easy path, but we can and do live productive lives. Mental illness, after all, is a no blame-no shame disorder of the brain. We cannot hide behind our illness any longer if we want to help others who walk the same path.

Our voices can and must be heard in order to mend our broken system.

Sandra Caron