When I walk into a restaurant or any crowded place, it occurs to me that probably about one of every six folks battles some type of mental illness. Fact. And that number doesn’t take into account the families of those folks and all of the relational challenges that go along with mental illness. And right in the middle of the crowds and statistics is a big pot of love – whose depth is tested most every day. What I mean is that much angst is felt by close friends and family who are trying to find good information, grasp a new reality or a new “normal”…..why? Because they love them. Because they are family. Because they are friends. These people are not “bi-polars” or “schizophrenics” but a brother who battles bi-polar or a father who strives to overcome depression.
And the reason I posted this particular video is that it caught my eye AND MY HEART. I don’t know much about the organization behind the video but I myself have spent much of my life advocating for those afflicted with mental illness. That’s hard enough without the social stigma offered by our society. Isn’t it 2010? Is a salt deficiency in the brain any different from a salt deficiency that sometimes causes arrhythmia in the heart? And so it goes. If you are the loved one of one struggling be brave and blaze a trail. When you walk into that restaurant, remember the statistic and know that whether or not folks are speaking openly about their challenges, they may need someone to speak in soft tones…..to be reassured that they are not alone – because they aren’t.
Elisabeth
