“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.”
- Former President Bill Clinton

I read a wonderful article this weekend about Army Major General David Blackledge who served our country in Iraq but came home suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).* There is nothing unique about this; according to the article an estimate 20% of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will return to the U.S. suffering from anxiety and major depression disorders. I don’t have the statistics, but I am certain the numbers for those coming home with substance use disorders will be high as well. But, what is unique about Maj. Gen. Blackledge is that he successfully underwent treatment and then has been openly talking about his successful treatment, as he did for this article in the Associated Press.

We are a culture that has a propensity to stigmatize and our greatest weapon against stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders is for people like Blackledge to openly talk to others about their experience. All the public service announcements, national walks and research I believe cannot do as much to fight this stigma as much as people willing to come forward and tell their story. So, as I write this on Veteran’s Day, I am grateful not only for the service by our brave men and women in the armed forces, but also grateful for this brave soldier. Let’s honor Blackledge not only for his service to our country, but also his service in helping all who suffer from mental illness to overcome their personal sense of shame. He is twice the hero in my book.

I would like to hear from you: What do you think we need to do to overcome stigma in this country?

*”General bucks culture of silence on mental health”; P. Jelinek, Associated Press, 11/8/2008

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