Marshall: We must talk about mental illness
Loudon Times-Mirror, Community View by Jennifer Marshall – September 15, 2020
I am a mom, wife and professional who lives with mental illness. My bipolar disorder emerged in my mid-20s, and I live with it every day. I have experienced many struggles, happy times, stable years and, yes, a few hospitalizations for mania related to my condition. Through it all, I have prioritized talking with my children about mental illness. I am purposeful in the way I do this, using age-appropriate language they can understand. It’s an ever-present conversation in our household, not a shameful topic.
We must talk to our kids about mental illness. It may feel like anxiety and depression are buzzwords in today’s society, but the stigma and shame that still surrounds this topic is dangerous and deadly. Our kids need to hear from parents that most people will experience mental illness at various points during their lifetime — and it’s OK to not be OK. Help is available, and asking for it is normal and necessary. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that the suicide rate for children ages 10 to 14 has caught up to their death rate for traffic accidents. Teens in Virginia receive, on average, 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training before they’re eligible to test for a driver’s license, yet how much time do we dedicate to educating our kids about the importance of mental health?
Click here to continue reading This Is My Brave Executive Director Jennifer Marshall’s Letter to the Editor
