Can We Support Each Other Through Mental Health?
By Michelle Ramirez
MD, ICU (Critical Care) and Writer, USA
Reading Time:
1 minute
A few years ago we had a resident who was having a really hard time with intern year. Could not follow through on their duties, was having awkward interactions with peers, was always late and soon everybody was talking about this resident.
Fast forward a few months later and after much talking and trying to orient this individual, it finally came out that he had an actual psychiatric diagnosis, but was embarrassed to say anything about it on their application. He thought it may hamper its chances to get into a program. Because of this, he had getting help, and to avoid anything coming out through the hospital health insurance, he stopped taking his medication.
Once this resident got the help and medications he needed, he were able to function beautifully and excel
And this is why we need to stop stigmatizing mental health. We need to break the preconceived ideas, stop using the word crazy and provide the care that mental health patients need, so they can be productive, happy members of society without living in fear of retribution or negativity.
LAMSA’s note: Thank you Dr Ramirez for your collaboration.
To know more about Stop Stigmatizing Mental Health Initiative [Here]
