Tags
acitivist, advocacy, bipolar, civil rights, culture, discrimination, LGBT, mental health, mental illness, mentally ill, psychiatry, psychology, racism, schizophrenia
Early this week I posted a trailer from the interview I did with SeaTread Studios on my Facebook page along with a new video of an opening they created. Since the posting of those videos my friend list has dropped considerably.
I use Facebook almost exclusively to network with other writers, and 90% or more of those writers don’t know me in person. When I post to Facebook it is usually a status update about a rejection or acceptance I received for a piece of writing I submitted, and occasionally I will post a link to an article that I had published.
There are some things about my diagnosis that I have posted on Facebook but I don’t do it often, and people who have recently accepted me as a friend, would need to scroll way back to see any reference to mental illness.
I have read from many writers on my friend list that they lost many followers and friends on Facebook when they turned their profile picture into a rainbow in support of marriage equality, or if they posted something in support of the new interpretation of law.
I also read that many people lost friends around their reaction to the shootings in Charleston.
So, I was aware that some people won’t associate with you when you support LGBT rights or an end to racism, but now I also know that there are people who won’t associate with you if you have a mental illness.
I wonder if it is just schizophrenia though, because I often see writers post about their struggles with bipolar disorder (many of the people on my friend list write about this) and I have never seen them post about losing friends and contacts over it.
All I know is that we have a long way to go in terms of acceptance, tolerance, and equality in this country and it isn’t just a fight for the LGBT or people of color. The mentally ill are discriminated against too.
If there was a new law about the treatment of people with a mental illness would millions of people change their profile pictures in order to show their support?
Sadly, I think we are the last and the least; an overlooked, misunderstood, stigmatized and marginalized group of society who often has a hard time discovering or using our voices.
For me, silence is no longer an option.
That is so unfortunate, but I am with you, silence no longer an option! Stay strong Rebecca, you are doing so much to educate people and it will eventually make a difference.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Others don’t decide who you are.. Keep up your confidence and you will be above them on day.
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Thank you! 🙂
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You are welcome. May I know your name?
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My name is Rebecca.
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Hi Rebecca. Nice to meet you. By the way, I am Pallavi Rajeev.
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Hi, nice to meet you! 🙂
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Would like to be my friend?
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We can read each other’s blogs, and share information there! 🙂
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S..
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I have to always remind myself that my FB friends aren’t really true friends. The ones we can count on and that are always here for us are the true ones.
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That is true! ❤
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I am really surprised! Maybe I shouldn’t be but I AM. I wouldn’t have expected that. I thought the trailer was really positive and it made me feel more connected to you in a good way (not creepy, don’t worry!). Obviously you are ok to associate with–your writing speaks for itself. You don’t come across as needy or demanding. You seem like someone who is able to tolerate opinions other than your own and try to understand them….
On the other hand, I have wondered if people would unfollow me if I wrote more about what it means to me to be a follower of Christ. I wrote one explicitly Christian themed post around Good Friday and there was complete silence. It is interesting that everyone seems to espouse the ideal of inclusivity but it is still so elusive. We are frightened of what we do not understand, and it is easier to create distance than involve ourselves in others’ lives. People are messy. I am sure I am guilty of this at times even though I try not t be. I think we all are.
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The full interview was posted today, and even more people unfriended me. Sad, but true.
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I am sorry to hear that.
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That is unbelievably sad. Still I guess it is a barometer of the kind of people hanging out in FB, it’s not saying anything about you. Don’t give up you’re doing great.
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Thanks! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Sarah's Attic Of Treasures ( Will Include Posts From Our Neck Of The Woods) and commented:
This is a very good Post.
There are many kinds of Discrimination. People with Mental Illnesses are discriminated against all the time.
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I’ve lost FB friends for posting things about mental illness. I don’t do it often, but when I do I feel it’s because something has a message that I feel is important. I’m not quite sure why the people leave, I assume that maybe they think I’m being preachy, or self righteous, either way I try not to think on it too much.
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I find it a little bit sad.
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I publicize all my posts onto FB but am not a great user of it. You are not the problem, they are and the wil reap what they sow, it’s inevitable. Take care
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I don’t do Facebook, so I can’t speak to anything concerning it. I will share this though; does it truly matter if people stop following you if you discuss your mental illness?
Who needs friends or acquaintances that cannot accept you for who you are? What should be important is the fact that you gave voice to who you are and what it is that you are dealing with.
Be true to yourself, Rebecca. For those who turn away, there will be others who turn toward you. So many people suffer in silence, if you give just one person hope, then you have brought them toward safety. That is something more valuable than dozens of ‘conditional friends.’
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No, I don’t need “friends” like that. I shared it, because it makes me sad. You are right though, others turn toward me. Thank you for your support and kind words. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Recovery Is Pending.
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