Mental Illness: The New Cancer

My brother was a music student, outdoor leader, and president of his school's student union. Creative and ambitious, he dreamed of continuing our father's legacy by becoming a professional musician. Now he lives in a homeless shelter, and struggles to separate what's real from what isn't. My girlfriend was a psychology student, varsity cyclist, and member of the poetry club. Her innocence and enthusiasm for life were irresistible; you could not be near her without feeling happier, more spontaneous and free. Now she is delusional, addicted, suicidal. My friend's brother was another aspiring musician. He came from a healthy, loving family like mine. In university, he started having manic episodes, but refused treatment. He fled the country and moved to Ukraine, where he died last month, leaving behind a wife and unborn child. I could go on. Mental illness is the new cancer. It is the cancer of Generation Y, a cancer that affects more young people than any other major illness. It takes the people you love and care about, at the peak of their lives, and reduces them to ghosts. Or worse. Illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression often begin invisibly and fester undetected for months or years. By the time you realize there's a problem it's often too late to do anything about it. You try anyway, then discover that mental illness can be treated (if the person is willing, if the medication is right, if they heed their wellness plans) but rarely "cure...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news