Mental illness has long been portrayed in our culture as something to fear. Hollywood often perpetuates this through the use of violent characters that have a mental illness. In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” significantly changed the landscape of horror movies and the perception of those with a mental illness. The suddenness – and viciousness – of the infamous shower scene tore at the fabric of the viewers’ certainty and left a feeling that, in the end, we are never truly protected. Unfortunately, this was the beginning of a trend in film and television of portraying people with a mental illness as violent killers.

Human beings have an innate fear of things that are different or unknown; a survival instinct that has endured for thousands of years. However, as an evolved, intelligent species with the ability to reason, we need to separate Hollywood’s depiction of mental illness from reality. This can be difficult given the fact that 39 years after “Psycho” the Columbine High School massacre once again tore our cultural fabric apart and left us with a feeling that we are never truly protected.

It is easy, even comforting, to want to live within the confines of the known. This is why we tend to associate with people of similar beliefs, hobbies, interests, etc. It is also why we tend to have stereotypes and other simplified models to help us understand people. However, this method of social categorization can all too easily result in errant beliefs which can in turn lead to discrimination.

For example, what images come to mind when you hear the term “insane?” How about “mentally ill?” What about “moody?” For many people the term “insane” elicits images often used by Hollywood in horror movies. “Mentally ill” tends to bring up images of persons we see on the street who are disheveled, maybe talking to themselves, maybe smelling of body odor or urine. “Moody” will often bring up an image of someone we know, maybe even work or live with. In a clinical sense all of these individuals likely have a mental illness. Yet our sense of danger as we associate images to each term changes dramatically.

Because of these internal beliefs and fears, the subject of mental illness is uncomfortable for many to discuss. Our lack of understanding triggers our natural defense mechanism and we avoid the topic. This inhibits our ability to truly understand what mental illness is and is not. And it is critical that we do understand the difference, as lives depend on it.

Nationally, the suicide rate increased 16.9% from 2012 to 2019. In New Hampshire, the rate during that same time span increased 32.4% – nearly double the national rate. If we continue to allow our reluctance to discuss mental illness guide us, we will continue to ignore an illness that impacts 1 in 5 adults at any given time. We may also unknowingly fail to recognize a loved one’s illness – an illness for which there is treatment available – and we will continue to perpetuate the stigma and discrimination that hinders some from seeking treatment.

To move forward we must acknowledge our fear and open our hearts and minds to understand this illness. Whether through the use of the internet, community awareness programs, or other means, we all have the ability to educate ourselves and start a dialogue with others. In Dover, business leaders including the Dover Rotarians, first responders, medical professionals, civic organizers and elected officials are meeting regularly to build a plan to educate the community about mental illness. Ideas such as establishing “Mental Health Safe Zones” – where businesses and other organizations choose to become educated and pledge to be a safe place for those who may need mental health help – are being developed. This doesn’t mean that everyone becomes a therapist; it just means is that regular, everyday people can recognize and appropriately respond to someone in an emotional crisis and direct them to the help they need.

Challenging a base instinct of fearing the unknown or things that are different cannot be accomplished in isolation. It takes a community of individuals, willing to push the limits of their own comfort, working together so that we can move beyond the fear. By understanding what mental illness is (and is not) and having the ability to see it as an illness, nothing more, nothing less, we can and will end the stereotypes that lead to errant beliefs and discrimination.

Brian Collins is executive director of Community Partners in Dover, the community mental health center that serves Strafford County.

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