Dear Editor,
With the recent flood of articles portraying the sordid affairs of mentally ill individuals, the association of mental illness to criminality seems more substantial than ever. I have written today to shatter that criminal-mentally ill stereotype, on the grounds of its utter absurdity.
I can vouch with all my knowledge and experience that the vast majority of mentally ill individuals cause, in fact, no harm whatsoever to society.
The crimes of a mere handful of troublemakers have only been hand-picked and misrepresented by the media, in a similar manner by which Muslims have been erroneously labelled terrorists after the events of 9/11.
We never hear about the benevolent deeds done by schizophrenics or manic depressives, for although they do represent the vast majority of society's mentally ill, such stories carry little market value for the media. Thanks to the resulting misunderstanding, not only are honest people finding it increasingly difficult to find the support they need for their mental health concerns, but our entire economy has been placed into jeopardy.
Poor productivity, sick leave, and labour turnover in the workplace stemming from ineptly-managed mental health matters exacts a heavy cost on our society, especially when those afflicted refuse to obtain treatment by virtue of self-denial.
Can you imagine having such a harrowing, mortifying fear of being judged, particularly through the acquisition of a label so dehumanizing as "criminal," that you deny your illness exists in the first place?
I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a term so repulsive and stigma-ridden that I am careful who I share it with. I have tried to kill myself numerous times in my 35 years. But I am inherently a peaceful, ethical person, never having committed a crime in my life. I have a humble yet rewarding job stocking a local grocery store, a beautiful, romantic partner who I love and plan to marry, and a vision to one day write a blockbuster novel.
I have rescued and cared for a cat, I've always preferred non-violent problem-solving methods, and I have volunteered in many positions throughout my life. Similar situations hold true for all my close-knit friends and acquaintances, all of who share psychiatric conditions.
Contrary to some individuals' expectations, tales of goodwill abound in the mental health realm. They are the norm, not the exception.
Peter Toth,
Port Coquitlam
