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Mental Health Fair
April 30, 2009 |
It affects different people in different ways. But one thing is for certain, a mental
health disorder can be dangerous, not just on the mind but on the body.
Fred Wightman talks about his experiences. “A lot of people have it and don’t know
it,” adds Wightman. The stigma of mental illness still exists, even though more
is being learned about it everyday.
While some patients, even their family members, choose to remain silent when it
comes to the topic, these patients have chosen to share their story in hopes of
helping someone else. “I was angry and I couldn’t sleep. I have learned it was stress
and I’m a stressful person,” says Wightman. His wife, Kay, was influential in getting
Fred help. “He also felt he wasn’t depressed and he wasn’t stressful, so coming
to the center really taught him how to cope.”
Sandra Kaiser is dealing with bi-polar disorder and adds, “I was having thoughts
that I just didn’t want to keep like I was. I now know it was bipolar disorder and
that I was having a manic episode”.
Whether its bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders or severe depression,
getting help whether for yourself or a loved one, is essential. Karla Morgan is
the Nursing Director for the Senior Behavioral Center at Lee Memorial Hospital.
”Approaching somebody just
by saying, ‘I notice you aren’t playing golf anymore,or
I notice you aren’t sleeping so well, or I notice you haven’t eaten as you normally
eat, is something going on?’ That can open the door,” suggests Morgan. Mental health
related problems can affect both adults and children alike.
“Recently I became a consumer advocate and educator in the community so I can help
people to understand mental illness and stigma,” says Kaiser.
To learn more about getting help, and providing support, Lee Memorial Health System
will hold a special “Mental Health Fair” on Friday from 10 -2 in the Community Room at Gulf Coast Medical Center. More than two dozen therapists and mental health providers
will be on hand.
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