Why We Need to Talk About Mental Illness With Gabe Howard
Sep 12, 2023
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Gabe Howard, author, speaker, and host of Inside Mental Health podcast, discusses the challenges of mental illness and the need to talk openly about it. He shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorders after being committed to a psychiatric hospital. The podcast explores the impact of mental illness on self-perception, the importance of familial support, and society's changing views on mental illness.
Breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness is crucial to encourage individuals to seek help and support.
Family support plays a vital role in the journey of recovery for individuals with mental illness.
Deep dives
The importance of talking openly about mental illness
Talking openly about mental illness is crucial, especially in a society that has become more comfortable discussing mental health. The stigma surrounding mental illness still exists, and it is important to break down these barriers. By opening up the conversation, we can raise awareness and encourage individuals to seek help and support. This is particularly relevant during Suicide Prevention Month, as it highlights the need for addressing mental illness and preventing tragic outcomes.
Gabe Howard's personal journey with mental illness
Gabe Howard shares his personal experience with bipolar and anxiety disorders. He emphasizes the misconception and stereotypes associated with mental illness, such as the belief that mentally ill individuals are violent or come from unstable homes. Gabe's story challenges these stereotypes, as he came from a stable and loving family. He discusses the difficulty of realizing and accepting his own mental illness, and how this led to being committed to a psychiatric hospital. Gabe's journey serves as a testament to the importance of self-awareness, understanding, and seeking proper care.
The significance of support for families and caregivers
The podcast highlights the struggles faced by families and caregivers of individuals with mental illness. Gabe shares his own experience of losing friends and straining relationships due to his erratic behavior. He stresses the vital role of family support during the journey of recovery, emphasizing that it is essential for families to rally around and seek their own support as well. Unfortunately, not all families are able to withstand the challenges of supporting someone with a mental illness, which can lead to fractured relationships and further distress. The podcast encourages families to prioritize self-care and seek external support to effectively navigate these difficult situations.
We’ve become more comfortable with talking openly about mental health, but we’re still reluctant to talk about mental illness. This week’s guest knows first-hand the challenges of mental illness and why it’s so important to talk about it. Gabe Howard is an author, speaker, and host of the Inside Mental Health podcast. After being committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003, Gabe was diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorders and today he uses his experience to help others navigate and understand that difficult path.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How mental illness affects everyone in the family.
Why we must lose the shame surrounding mental illness.
How to help those around us who are struggling with mental illness in their own family.
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