Just Like Them

All the times I was in the waiting room of a Psychiatric unit, my immediate thought whenever I saw other patients was, "I'm not like them". I would try to act as "normal" as possible, so that everyone would think that perhaps my Psychiatrist was a relative or a friend, and that I was not there as a patient, rather as someone on a friendly visit to the Psychiatrist. I imagined it was like how I would react whenever a new security personnel who does not know me attempts to stop me from going to my mum's office - "sorry new security personnel, but I'm not a client"

In the waiting room at the Psychiatrist's office, I would often find myself rehearsing these lines in my head - "Sorry, I'm not a patient. I'm not like them. I just have a few mental health issues, but that's all. Mine is not as bad as theirs"

Now I wonder why -

Why did I need to tell a different story?

Why did I need to separate myself from the others who were in fact just like me too?

And what if others thought I was mentally ill? So what?

As I reflect, I realised I judged myself harshly because the society around me taught me to stigmatise mental illness. The consequences of this stigmatisation is that people like me - who need help, they need help and want the help, will continue to avoid visiting the Psychiatrist's office for fearing of being labelled "crazy". But let's not forget, illness is often part of the human experience. Illness comes in many forms which includes mental illness. So if we are going to label people as "crazy" for having a mental illness and deciding to get the help they need by seeing a Psychiatrist, then we are not being kind as a society and a human race.

We all need help sometimes - and that should be okay. It shouldn't make a difference that the help is coming from a mental health professional. Help should be helpful and for people with mental illness, help that is helpful would often come from visiting mental health facilities.

So that is why I fight...

because with knowledge comes responsibility.

I am just like them...

and in fact, it is okay to be just like them...

If you are one of us, that is okay too...

welcome to being human.

About the writer

Irene A. Boafo is a Jesus lover, writer and blogger currently in training to become a Pharmacist. She is passionate about loving Jesus, skin and hair care, helping people and of course, mental Health. To connect with Irene kindly follow her on Twitter and Instagram @inkedwithrenni