{"id":103840,"date":"2015-11-04T09:07:00","date_gmt":"2015-11-04T07:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/103840\/speaker-debunks-mental-illness-myths\/"},"modified":"2015-11-04T09:05:45","modified_gmt":"2015-11-04T07:05:45","slug":"speaker-debunks-mental-illness-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2015\/11\/04\/speaker-debunks-mental-illness-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker debunks mental illness myths"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI had a vibrant social life and was enjoying my life, but all that suddenly changed when I lost piece by piece of my life and who I was,\u201d said South African Federation for Mental Health\u2019s Charlene Sunkel.<\/p>\n

This is how Sunkel started her talk at the Mental Health Awareness event, held at the Bertha Gxowa Hospital, recently.<\/p>

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During the awareness programme, emphasis was placed on various kinds, causes and treatments of mental illnesses and on debunking myths and stereotypes attached to mental illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout me noticing, I had withdrawn from everyone and everything,\u201d continued Sunkel.<\/p>

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\u201cI had become preoccupied with all kinds of thoughts, ideas and beliefs that turned into voices and conversations with the voices.<\/p>\n

\u201cParanoia turned the world into an evil place and I lived in fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dramatic change in my behaviour became apparent to everyone around me.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe unfortunate part is that those around me either blamed drugs, satanism, or just me seeking attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey blamed my behaviour on anything else but a mental disorder, as that would mean shaming my family and community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunkel told the GCN that she was diagnosed with a mental disorder in 1991.<\/p>\n

\u201cI consulted a psychiatrist who, after assessments, diagnosed me with paranoid schizophrenia and a poor prognosis,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was shocked, I had never heard of the word \u2018schizophrenia\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI eventually lost my job, apartment, everything I owned, including the respect and understanding of my family and friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was left with no dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunkel also said that, after 18 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) sessions, four years spent in hospitals and two years in a psychosocial rehabilitation facility, she has regained her dignity.<\/p>\n

\u201cContrary to the stigma of being dangerous, needing to be locked away, unemployable, unable to live on my own or achieve anything, I am actually the opposite,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI work at the South African Federation for Mental Health and have been since 2003, I live on my own, sustain myself and have achieved great success, which includes receiving several awards.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften we focus so much on the mental disorders and the disadvantages and less on mental health care and restoring the dignity of those suffering from mental disorders.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople often get too afraid to seek help, as they are afraid of the stigmas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen restoring dignity we look at, among other things, having access to the best possible mental health care services, a general health care system free from stigma and discrimination and family and friends involved in the recovery process.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe support, understanding and care from family and friends is crucially important and it goes a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunkel also said that, as a family member or friend of a person with a mental disorder you have to assure and show them that you are there, instead of just checking up on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really is motivating when you can see and feel the support and love of those close to you,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve in the person and encourage them to believe in themselves; motivate them to study and do things for themselves, focus on their ability to achieve rather than their disability or disorder.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo all those suffering from a mental disorder, always remember that being treatment compliant is taking responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cDream big and go for what you want, nobody can stop you but yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n