T he majority of people in our world have little compassion for those who suffer from mental illness. Yet, they know it is an illness. This includes all walks of life and professions. The individual may be even terminated from their job, as I was, as a direct result of the illness. This adds even more burden and stress to the individual. The person may suffer more because of it. I was terminated from an organization who helps the mentally ill as a profession. As hard as it was to swallow, it was just another experience for me to learn.Most people will side with and be very patient with someone who is physically ill. There's one big reason for it; they understand. Most people see someone in physical pain, and believe how painful it must be. But have little, or no comprehension for another person with a mental illness. Many think it's some sort of nonsense, and overlooked, or even laughed at. Yet, many have committed suicide from feeling hopeless in their suffering. This should be an indicator, but it is not.
It still remains a stigma. Many still judge them and look down upon them. For these people, I can only hope that they may come to experience it for themselves. Unless they do, they will never understand. If it is only a short term illness, it won't necessarily help. They may still be apt to being judgmental. Because in their minds, they feel they have gotten over it, so anyone should be able to. They still don't know. They didn't suffer enough to understand. Unfortunately, it is usually what's needed. For these people, no pain, no gain. There are people who can, and do, sympathize and try to understand how it must feel. Obviously, there are not too many.
I worked as an outreach counselor for a non-profit organization. The building manager was about as sympathetic and understanding as a robot. Most of the supervisors were the same. First of all, they didn't allow employees to have the upper and supervisory positions. They would hire people with mental illness because it would be hypocritical for them to discriminate against the very people they claim to help. But the buck stops there. There are two of these organizations where I live that I know do this. There's probably many more. It can be disturbing for someone with mental illness to realize this. So what do we call this? How do we prove it? In their mind, it's just a business.
If it's possible, I feel it's better not to disclose your diagnosis. After all, if you have a bout with your illness, or it becomes worse for awhile, what can they do except terminate you? They will do that anyway regardless of disclosure or not. For those of you who have mental illness, as myself, we can't put expectancies on people just because they are educated, or have diploma's. Some people help others cause they have to; others do it because it's in their heart. And boy, it shows!
You may have already come across one of them who have left you bitter, and led you to question yourself as to why they are even in this profession or business. I have also. I've met one's who were mean, overpowering, with big ego's to match. Yet, they keep their positions. Evidently, there are no standards or monitoring in these places. We both know, if someone doesn't have their heart in it, they shouldn't be in a position to hurt the one's they claim to help.
It is a tell tale sign that you need to find another organization, agency, etc. pronto. They need an overhaul. Some organizations and people may never be beneficial for us, no matter what they claim or say. Realize who they are. Look for truth in them. If they don't or haven't helped you, then find another one. The one's I know of are funded partly by the state, as well as private donations from companies, people, etc. They want to see numbers. Everyone that walks in that door is counted. If they can't produce enough, guess what happens? But the companies that donate to these organizations don't know what's going on inside.
When I worked for one of them, and they knew that day that someone was coming there that was a donor, it was "Clean up and shut up." Period. I've met people working in these fields because they have issues of their own, and it makes them feel better working in this type of environment. They're comfortable in ruling over one's with severe issues. I have witnessed it in institutions I was in, as well as the organization I worked for.
I tried stating my case against them once, and used an NY State discrimination board to help. But after I started to realize what direction it was going in, I dropped the entire case. It just wasn't worth it. Realize who really wants to help you, and the others who just want to boost their ego's and boast. More often than not, the most helpful person will also be humble. These people God has truly gifted and given to us.
They are there. Look for them. God bless you always,
Eddie V.
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