Guest editor Barbara Lee VanHorssen spotlights work being done to eliminate stigma

I have a son who lives with schizophrenia. When he was 19 years old, we spent five months in and out of the hospital and residential care until we found the right medication to stabilize his life. When he got out of the hospital, no one called to see how he was doing or to offer to bring a meal. We don’t treat mental illness the same way we do other illnesses. And we don’t talk about it because it is fraught with misunderstanding and stigma.

The stigma of mental illness is particularly destructive because it makes the actual condition even worse. And the absurdity is that mental illness affects all of us in one way or another. One in every four adults will experience a serious mental illness during their lifetime. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It strikes people of every race, gender, and economic background. Even so, many people continue to believe you can overcome mental illness with simple willpower. I wish that were the case. It’s not. Mental illness is a serious medical condition that requires the same kind of care that any physical illness receives.

The really good news is that 70-90% of individuals with mental illness who seek help see improvement in their symptoms and quality of life after participating in some form of treatment — no matter what that form of treatment is. The bad news is that 60% never seek any kind of treatment at all.

According to the World Health Organization, it is stigma, discrimination, and neglect that prevent care and treatment from reaching people with mental disorders. Stigma isolates, and isolation only makes mental illness worse. In fact, 58% of those with mental illness say that the stigma surrounding the disease is more damaging and harder to deal with than the illness itself.

The Momentum Center takes this very seriously as we work to create a stigma-free community. One of the most important actions we can all take toward that end is to normalize the conversation. With that in mind, this month’s collection of articles highlights those populations that are so often marginalized and the good work that is being done to eliminate stigma. I hope you will find these articles as promising and hopeful as I did.

Barbara Lee VanHorssen and her son.

My favorite stories that highlight marginalized people
Thrive shines light on childhood trauma's effects on adults

Gay business owner shares emotional response to Supreme Court ruling

Capital for Compassion works to enable homeless to 'live a more gracious life'

Moving beyond the gender binary

Spotlight story:
Muskegon's Lemonade Stand offers an oasis for those struggling with mental illness

A stand member looks out across the neighborhood from the Porch of The Lemonade Stand of Muskegon.

Mental health millages meet crucial needs in four Michigan counties

How Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year overcame bullying and embraced her culture

How does a person with a disability buy a car? Thoughtfully

How volunteering helped turn a homeless man's life around


Call to Action

Barbara Lee VanHorssen talks to members of the Momentum Center in Grand Haven. A version of the program is being piloted in Holland.

This has been a difficult year and all of us are experiencing its effects. The good news is that we don’t have to do it alone! Please accept my personal invitation to visit the Momentum Center at 714 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven, in the bright blue building. You can’t miss it! Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (my treat), take a tour, and learn all about the ways we are creating a stigma-free community. You can also visit us online at momentumcentergh.org or call me at 616.502.2078. Together we’ll keep gaining momentum!