The Power of Standing Up to the Stigma of Mental Illness
By Arlene Malinowski
Arlene Malinowski is a Writer, Actor, Teaching Artist, and Disability Activist.
I guarded the secret like it was a magician’s trick because crazy and unstable do not get to work at the Goodman Theater, do not get invited to fabulous parties. All that crazy and unstable get is judged.
I understood the stigma of mental illness. I knew people would say, “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. What do you have to be depressed about? Other people have it a lot worse.” I knew because I had said it myself.
A 2013 review of studies showed that stigma is still pervasive, even as people have become more aware of different mental health conditions. The stigma can make mental health problems worse, stop a person from getting help or reaching out for support. It can also lead to strains with family and friends who may not understand the person’s behavior.
After years of meds, doctors, therapists, healing practices and people who loved me through the really tough times, I found my brave and wrote a solo-show called, “A Little Bit Not Normal: A serious comedy about depression.” I got up on a stage and started telling the story about my Major Depression and Panic Disorder.
After each performance the most surprising things happened; I got emails, handwritten notes and whispers buried in hugs from strangers who said, “Me too. I have it too.”
My goal is to take every opportunity to educate people and share my story and struggles with mental illness. I fight stigma by reminding people that their language matters. That describing anyone as crazy, nuts, deranged or a psycho disparages, belittles and stigmatizes. And if you tell me that you have a mental illness, my goal is to see you, tell you that you are not alone and not judge you.
Arlene Malinowski, artist and educator, discusses writing her solo show, “A Little Bit Not Normal.”
““My goal is to take every opportunity to educate people and share my story and struggles with mental illness. I fight stigma by reminding people that their language matters. And if you tell me that you have a mental illness my goal is to see you, tell you that you are not alone and not judge you. @Arlene_Malinow3 #PowerToChangeStories ”
Arlene Malinowski, Ph.D. is a playwright/actor/educator whose award-winning theater and solo work is an extension of the social justice work she's been committed to for the last 30 years. She feels so lucky-luck that she has the honor of coaching people from all walks of life to help them find their voice and tell their story. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1063428206 ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-malinowski-5921aab2 ; https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/ ; @Arlene_Malinow3