Inc. All Rights Reserved. I have a mental illness. I don't have difficulty telling you I have arthritis in my left knee that sometimes limits my physical activities. It is because of the shame and stigma associated with mental illness.
Mental illness is common, very common.
One out of ten people will have a mental illness during their lifetime. Most people think mental illness means someone hallucinates and is not in touch with reality, but mental illness is much broader than that. It includes a range of illnesses from attention deficit disorder to severe depression and anxiety disorders. Many people with mental illnesses are highly successful and make significant contributions to society. People with mental illness are shamed and stigmatized.