The first White House Conference of Mental Health chaired by Tipper Gore met in June (1999) to encourage the opening of a public discussion of Mental Illness. Perhaps this forum which allows the country to acknowledge the existence of mental illness within society will have similar reverberating effects on families as well, allowing them to acknowledge the existence of less debilitating, yet sometimes as disruptive, issues within the family. Issues such as faulty family communications, unresolved family of origin issues, and children/adolescents acting out, are characteristic of those which point to the need for outside interventions.

 The stigma associated with mental illness has its roots in history, but probably more insidiously in family histories. In the past, hushed whispers of an old aunt or rumors of a neighbors relative “locked away” in an insane asylum conjured up fear, shame, and dread, lest others find out. This time marked the beginning of the period of stigma which still persists today in society.

The advent of psychotropic drugs in the 50’s as well as Freud’s growing prominence in the treatment of mental illness brought some relief for the symptoms of mental illness, however, the stigma lived on, due to the still lingering fears and shame of an earlier time when so little was known. The wish to keep the “insane locked up” was transformed and updates into keeping the dirty linen in the closet. Times, fortunately are changing, and this is becoming less and less the dominant attitude.

 People have been able to experience the benefits, firsthand, to themselves, their families, and even their companies through the use of therapy and the application of psychological principles. The fears that situations might be beyond repair are being replaced with the knowledge, gained through successful experiences, that not only can situations and relationships be repaired, they can be improved significantly.

This is a long and arduous battle, and one that hasn’t been won yet. However,  when it is understood that this stigma is as destructive to our society as racism or sexism or any other “ism”, will reveal progress be made. The idea that “bad” resides in the “other” should be a red flag that acceptance and integration are necessary, whether it be in marriage, a family, a group, or a country.

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