Likewise, when speaking about her own personal experiences with different mental illnesses, Lovato uses a softer tone to connect to the audience on an emotional level. Lovato’s personal anecdotes with her mental illnesses spoke to the audience about what she calls her “darkest times”. “During my darkest times, I didn’t know why I was alive and I definitely didn’t like myself. I had very low periods that were so emotionally draining that I couldn’t find the strength to crawl out of bed in the morning. I was withdrawn, disconnected, and very angry” (Lovato).
Then there are patients like Cheryl. Cheryl is a middle aged white woman, who is mostly seen dressed in sweats and t-shirts. Her hair is usually wild and untamed and she wears a pair of broken glasses, pieced together with tape. Many of these patients have experienced trauma, which may have been minor (i.e. bad grade on an exam) or extreme (i.e. sexual abuse), and may have led them to become more ill. This documentary exposes the truth behind those who suffer a mental illness and shows how they are still people who struggle with the same issues as those without a mental illness.
She had successfully brought to life the maltreatment of the mentally ill resulting in an improvement in the treatment of the mentally
Discrimination and stigma may come from this, which may significantly affect the person's capacity to maintain a job and lead a full life. The absence of resources for those with bipolar disorder is also highlighted in the movie, along with the necessity of raising awareness and financing for mental health
Many people have the same syndrome these powerful women have, and they are inspiring others to be like them, confident, and intelligent. These women are proving to the world that syndromes/illnesses aren’t what you always think and that they should expand their
Carrie Fisher was a Hollywood star, constantly in the public eye, but how she used that spotlight to showcase real issues in America as a whole is what makes her an important historical figure. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder sometime in her mid-twenties but refused the diagnoses until she was 28 when she checked herself into a 30-day rehab center after an almost fatal overdose she claimed that after this overdose, she realized that there was no other explanation for her behavior. Before, she only thought she was an addict, and that’s how she explained away her behavior. She even decided to undergo electric shock therapy, giving minor details about this experience in an interview with Oprah in 2011. Carrie used her fame to shed light on the ugly, nasty
She then explains her and the nation’s situation: how she is HIV positive even though she’s a “healthy” human being, how there are millions of people infected with AIDS virus, and how the epidemic is still a serious problem despite everything done to prevent it. Fisher affirms that AIDS can happen to anyone, regardless the political and environmental factors, race, religion, age, or sex. She insists that this disease is a threat that should not be ignored. Even when it seems safe, it is still dangerous. It is important to act and speak eloquently about this
This is the case with Susanna, who is the autobiographical main character of the book. She provides a perfect reason as to why it is important that mental illness must be talked about more. Susanna is admitted to the McLean Hospital after she attempts suicide and is then diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She is at first convinced that there is nothing wrong for her, which is something that many patients go through, and is one of the important reasons that mental illness should be discussed more.
society looks at you with a side eye; so, for many people to relate to someone with mental illness and her. given her platform, I think she really helped a lot of people not to be ashamed of who they are. now more people are open, more people are understanding to the fact that yeah this happened to you too. that what I want to be able to do, I would do the same thing there is no need to be isolated for being different in and breaking the sort of societal rules or views helps and I realize that mental illness is not all bad you know there's a bright side or some humor you know people laughing. there's a stigma that you know mental illness is not a laughing matter but
In the last few years, the representation of people suffering from mental illness in popular culture has greatly increased, showing actual teenagers that characters and idols have real problems in everyday life. One of the literary leaders in this psychological revolution is the novel, and recent film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Throughout this story, the viewer learns about different types of mental disorders from depression, to post-traumatic stress disorder, to schizophrenia. The events that occur throughout this storyline show real-life situations and struggles that teenagers go through. Stephen Chbosky expertly handles the topic of mental illness in the novel and film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Demi Lovato’s capacitating speech delivered at the National Alliance of Mental Illness Convention brought awareness to mental health illnesses and how recovery treatments are obtainable with the support of the entire community. The hardships and sufferings brought upon by mental illnesses, the positive possibilities created by the passage of the Mental Health Comprehensive Bill, and the effects of communities coming together to help those suffering with a mental health illness, were mentioned in this speech through the usage of rhetorical devices; tone, anecdote, repetition, and aphorism are the distinct devices included in this speech. All a mental health illness victim needs is hope and support while recovering from this painful experience.
When stating “I would never have asked to be HIV positive, but I believe that in all things there is a purpose; and I stand before you and before the nation gladly.” (2) she shows how strong she is for allowing her story to be heard and exploited, as well as to encourage others to do the same. A metaphor that really ties this whole speech together and allows multiple emotions from sorrow to empathetic is evoked when she is saying, “I am one with the lonely gay man sheltering a flickering candle from the cold wind of his family’s rejection.” (4). Fisher sets the stereotypical recipient of HIV up and relates them to herself to show that she is one with being isolated by her
The presence of it in the main character of a popular film draws attention to the issue, and if anything, increases overall awareness of psychological disorders due to the staggering popularity of movies. The downside is that the way in which these disorders are portrayed in film often exaggerates them, and rarely shows any sort of treatment or resolve for the characters who have the disorders. This popular culture portrayal can make it seem as if there is no way to get help, when there are so many treatments that could benefit the individual. It should be more important to the film directors to include more references to treatment or to consequences should the disorder not go untreated. Additionally, the more realistic the portrayal of the disorder is, the more it can grab people’s attention.
Demi Lovato is an advocate for mental health, because of her having multiple mental illnesses, and also her father. I found this blog post by Lindsay Holmes called, “How Demi Lovato is Leading the Conversation about Mental Illness”. It starts off by saying, “Many people who experience mental illness feel like they have to suffer in silence due to negative stereotypes associated with their conditions. Demi Lovato is actively working to change that.” Just by reading the first two sentences, I knew that this blog was going to be truthful about how people are treated when they have a mental illness.
Today there has been an increase in the awareness of mental health. In the sense that society has begun to take notice of how mental health effects each individual differently. The media has begun to incorporate a variety of illnesses to entertain to their audience. However, many have questioned if the media is accurately portraying these mental disorders. I chose to compare two popular movies Frankie & Alice and the 2007 version film Sybil.
