Posted by harry b. on May 25, 2000, at 18:13:47
In reply to This is what it took to get better…, posted by Janice on May 25, 2000, at 14:43:26
> Couldn't they teach this stuff in school. Once or twice through the 12 years, have someone come in to talk about mental illness, destigmatize it, shed some light around it. I could be wrong, but isn't it something like 25-40% of people have mental illness at one point in their lives.
>Janice- I've had no contact with the public school
system since I was a student so I don't know if
mental health issues are addressed or not. If they
are, my guess is that they are limited to a short
chapter in a Soc or Health text book. Maybe some
of the teachers here have more info.Your idea is wonderful. Educate, destigmatize, empower,
enable, soothe the tortured spirit, save lives.An enlightened society should do no less, but ours
isn't very enlightened. Maybe one day?I remember my own 'Health' classes. They were taught
by the gym instructor, who was also my basketball
coach. I wasn't too much into team sports but I
loved basketball and made the team in my Junior
and Senior years, sat on the bench a lot, but what
the hay. He spent a LOT of time, and used lots of
inuendo, telling us about the birds & bees. I believe
he kinda got off on it. He spent about 15 minutes
telling us how evil and immoral homosexuality was.
The sad thing is that years later I found out that
his son was gay. I wonder if they ever reconciled.I hope things have changed.
Anyway, Janice, you've made a difficult journey. I'm
glad you had the strength and resolve to make it.
poster:harry b.
thread:34620
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000517/msgs/34657.html