Hiding Behind the Dual Diagnosis Stigma

Mental illness touches more lives than most people realize. And when your talking about dual diagnosis issues, it can be easy to get caught up in the addiction side of it. Chemical dependency is such a complex issue, even without the complication of a mental disorder. Stigma about mental illness still exists. However, there is an honor bestowed upon the month of May to raise awareness about mental illness - May is Mental Health Month. Let’s take a look at some really useful resources on the web and beyond. 

Mental Health America has Dual Diagnosis Information

Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Mental Health Association, has a big promotion on their website for Mental Health Month. This year’s theme is connectedness and social support. The front page highlights many interesting resources. You can take a few polls, learn about anxiety and depression, or take note of their crisis number for phone assistance.

Even if your mental disorder diagnosis something other than depression or anxiety, there are many materials linked to stress and wellness topics.  Mental Health America also offers a fact sheet for dual diagnosis including some quality information sources at the bottom. If you are a parent with a dual diagnosis, your child may be at a higher risk for developing disorders as well.  It’s worth your time to peruse around the site. There’s enough info to be helpful, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. 

The Canyon and Foundation Associates Dual Diagnosis Resources

The main websites for The Canyon and Foundation Associates also offer a wealth of mental health information. They are both world reknown centers of expertise in the area of dual diagnosis treatment. The Canyon has a comprehensive review of dual diagnosis to explain how mental disorders and addiction mix together. More focused on mental health, Foundation Associates has created three expanded resource pages describing three different types of mental disorders: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders.

NAMI Fights Mental Illness Stigma

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a national organization that fights the stigma of mental illness.  They also have affiliates and local support groups across the United States. Their website has a ton of great reliable information to look through including a mental illness fact sheet and an extensive page on dual diagnosis treatment.  NAMI’s recommendations closely mirror the client-based integrated treatment provided at The Canyon. NAMI’s website also have links for public policies, medication, and practically anything else having to do with mental illness. 

NAMI also has a year round fundraising campaign called NAMIWalks. These are sponsored by local NAMI groups to raise awareness in their community and raising money to support their group activities. While it doesn’t seem to be officially linked with May as Mental Health Month, clicking on the View Upcoming Walks link will show many of these walks being held in May.   

Mental Illness Stigma is Still Out There

The unfortunate truth is that the stigma is still out there. It is ugly, it imprisons people in their condition, and it is challenging to fight. But there are many passionate knowledgable organizations all over the United States and the world out there fighting the good fight for mental illness. 

As a professional, I understand the desire for privacy around these issues. Living with a person that has untreated mental illness can be confusing and painful. As someone who’s also experienced depression, I know how the mind gets warped during mental illness. It magnifies anything resembling a stigma or rejection, even if your loved ones would truly bend over backwards for you no matter what the problem. 

What’s been your experience with mental illness stigma? Have you felt like you held back on getting help because you were worried how others would react?  Did you fear you’d be ridiculed or not believed?  Also, who in your life ignored any stigma and just helped you without hesitation?