Mental Illnesses

Now, before you continue reading, I know I don't usually post this sort of stuff, and I usually just stick to writing stories and poems, but I had to write this for English class, and I'm quite proud of it and think it should be shared. So please read the whole thing, it would mean a hell of a lot to me. <3 Thanks in advance!


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Mental Illnesses

Have you or anyone you know ever been affected by a mental illness? Mental illnesses are increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world. My argument in this public speaking is that people who are affected by mental illnesses need more help, more support and more resources. In this public speech, I will inform you about people who need more resources for their mental illnesses and why they need those resources, the ways that society views mental illnesses, and ways to help people who suffer from any sort of mental illness or mental health condition.

Many people suffer from a mental disorder, which can affect them and the people around them. One in five people in Canada will experience a mental illness or mental health condition. Mental health illnesses can include: depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, personality disorders, schizophrenia and many, many more.

People with a mental illness have various ways of dealing with their problems. A lot do no know how to ask for help and do not think that they are worth being helped.

Self-harm is a major issue and many people will turn to that instead of taking the right steps to recovery, as they don’t know any other way to seek help. Self-harm is dangerous and is common in adolescence and young adulthood. Roughly 4000 people die every year in Canada by committing suicide, most having a mental illness.

Society has a very difficult time accepting people who are suffering from a mental illness. “The mentally ill continue to receive negative attention, largely due to fear and prejudice. People who suffer from mental illness are often pushed to the fringes of, or are directly excluded from, society,” says Kismet Baun, Senior Communications Advisor at the Canadian Mental Health Association, in Ontario.

Many of you have probably heard of the unfortunate events like Amanda Todd’s story and many other people that become affected by a mental illness. After having committed suicide, there were more than one million likes on her Facebook memorial page.

Though many people were upset by her death, a lot complained about why so much attention was directed at only “bigger” stories like hers, and why couldn’t there be memorials for all people instead of just one.

Although resources are available to people suffering from a mental health issue, I believe we should be offered more from the government.

The National Institute of Mental Health states that, “Medications treat the symptoms of mental disorders. They cannot cure the disorder, but they make people feel better so they can function.”

Many websites and telephone hotlines exist to help anyone who is in need of guidance or help with a mental issue. Popular support groups include: Tel-jeunes, Suicide Action Montreal, and more prevention and aid resources.

Something I believe we need is to have people become more aware of the situation that is mental illnesses. We should be able to have more help offered to us as students, such as more resources like therapy and counselors that are trained to deal with someone who is suffering. More public services should be put into place, free and available to anyone who needs the help they deserve.

When people don’t feel secure and safe with the resources they have, they tend to seek other advice or help. For that reason, the government needs to step up and offer more, no matter the expenses. A healthy population should be a priority.

Many people would be against me in my argument, saying that a mental illness such as depression or anxiety isn’t a “real” medical problem that needs to be treated and taken care of. Most people, who hear the words “mental illness”, will usually avoid the conversation, as they do not feel comfortable talking about it or are confused about the subject.

People who don’t open up to the topic of a mental illness will not be able to comprehend what is going on in our society and they will not be able to help anyone who is suffering with a mental illness.

In conclusion, I talked about who needs help and why, what society thinks of mental illnesses and needing more resources to help those who suffer.

The Canadian Mental Health Association says that, “A disease of the mind is like a disease of the body. No one chooses the illness and with proper assessment, treatment and support, recovery is possible. It’s time to stop treating diseases of the mind differently than diseases of the body. It’s time to start treating people.”