A couple of years ago, I broke my elbow. After breaking my elbow, I wore a sling and a modified cast for a couple of months. With the visual of a battered and bruised individual fully apparent, people would ask, “Are you OK?” “What happened?” People would sympathize and relate, “That must really hurt.” “I remember when I broke my ___.” People would go out of their way to be helpful, “Can I get the door for you?” “Do you need any help with dinners/shopping/childcare?”
The moral of my story is, broken bones receive support from everyone; loved ones, colleagues, acquaintances, strangers., broken minds, not so readily.
A broken mind, a mental illness, is not something that people can readily see. It’s not something that people will readily ask about. It’s not something that people always want the back story for. In fact, a lot of times, people shy away from mental illness because of the stigma attached to it.
What I would like to let the world know- a broken bone and a broken mind both need support, both need sympathy, both need help from others. Both broken bones and broken minds require professional treatment as well as a support system of loved ones, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Thanks for Reading,
Lauren
peaceoutofpieces 
Lisa Said:
on January 27, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Lauren your posts are so captivating. You do an amazing job at explaining PTSD, trauma, treatments and most importantly your experieneces. I have always felt strongly about the inconsistency between how physical & mental illnesses are supported by others. It’s taken me 5 years of active treatment for my mood disorder to be able to openly say that yes I am mentally ill & I am a mental health therapist & I’m ok. This post got to me specifically. I am hooked! Keep writing!
peace4lauren Said:
on February 23, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Thanks Lisa! It is amazing how differently physical ailments and mental ailments are treated. Hopefully, this will change in the future!