3 November 2016

Dear Future President,

We go on with our lives oblivious of the various types of mental illnesses people must face everyday. There are some mental illnesses that are noticeable that we think we know so much about and there some that we cannot see. Mental illnesses are very real and we must educate ourselves and others about this issue in order to help those who have mental illnesses.

When asked about our thoughts on those with a mental illness in the workforce, some would think of a person incapable of doing certain tasks that any other person could do easily. People with mental health problems are just as productive as “normal” employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, job tenure on par with or greater than other employees (MentalHealth.gov). Society underestimates those suffering from mental illnesses because they can’t believe they are able to work just as well as people without mental illnesses.

In order to understand mental illnesses and how they affect people, we must put ourselves in their shoes. Most people don’t know this but, mental illness typically strikes young people in their most productive years, which are the ages sixteen to twenty-five years old (Nami). Many people usually come to the conclusion that if someone acts up and shoots up someplace, it is because of their mental illness. In most instances it is true, but we cannot use mental illnesses as a solution to blame for someone’s action only. In fact, people with mental illnesses are more likely to be a victim of violence (Time To Change). We only discuss mental health issues on negative terms. We don’t hear any positives about people with mental illnesses. Do you know how that makes someone who is suffering everyday with their disorder? It would feel nice to hear at least some words of encouragement.

Not knowing if the person next to me has some sort of mental illness whether it be big or small makes me feel like I should take action. Society should do their duty to understand mental illnesses. We only see the small picture, that they have an illness and are trying to improve their mental health but the bigger picture really is that we can help them. We can help them feel better because even though we don’t mean to do it, we exclude them because of their differences. An individual is socially excluded if he or she does not participate in key activities of the society in which he or she lives. People with mental health problems, particularly those with long‐term psychoses, are among the most excluded groups. They may be excluded from material resources, socially valued productive activity, social relations and neighborhoods, civic participation and from health services. There will be prejudice against those with mental health problems and it should be our responsibility to make sure everyone is treated kindly.

I hope you will speak more about mental illnesses and know that is shouldn’t be only be brought up as an excuse for someone’s act of violence. You must express the importance of mental health and show that many Americans are affected by mental illnesses everyday, even though we may not see it. Mental illness is alive and always around whether you care or not. It’s significant that we learn more about this issue because this will help us understand that we aren’t all so different after all.

Sincerely,

Becky