Are the Mentally Ill Dangerous?

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People with psychiatric problems are often considered dangerous.

I am continuing to make progress in my daily life, particularly with regards to the voices. I heard a few faint threats this morning which I managed to completely ignore. The voices were threatening me again about writing my memoir, but I am no longer listening to them, and I am no longer influenced by the voices. I simply continued with the housecleaning, and then sat down to write this blog post. I am delving deeper into my past as I continue working on my memoir. Although some of the memories are painful, I find that the more I understand my past, the more I am able to create value out of my experiences. In my memoir, my experiences are turned into valuable, hope-filled life-lessons, rather than distant, bad memories that I’d just as soon forget. I am also able to bring more meaning to my life by sharing my experiences with others, and I’m looking forward to finishing and publishing my memoir.

Jennifer Myers

I recently received an email from a Canadian film director working on a film about schizophrenia, drug use, psychiatry, race and stigma. The director, Jonathan Balazs is currently working on a documentary called Mars Project. Mars Project is about a Canadian hip hop artist who suffers from schizophrenia. With the documentary, Balazs seeks to explore significant and sometimes controversial questions surrounding mental illness, psychiatry, and schizophrenia in particular. On his Mars Project website, www.idiegogo.com/marsprojectmovie, Balazs states that individuals with schizophrenia are often believed to be dangerous, as the general public only hears about occasional violent episodes. Mental disorders are generally presented in a very negative light in society, and Balazs feels that it is important to dispel this idea.

I also believe that it is crucial to educate others about schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mental illness in general. Mental illness is difficult to define, very hard to treat, and not easy to live with. The negative stigma surrounding mental illness makes it that much more difficult for those suffering from an illness to live happy, productive lives. While I do not consider myself to be a violent person, the voices I heard were often very frightening. Many times I felt strongly compelled to do what the voices were telling me to do. Although they never told me to commit an act of violence against another person, they did tell me to put myself in a situation that would lead to my certain death. Fortunately, I had my husband and my family’s support. I was constantly reassured that the voices were not real. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from auditory hallucinations do not have the support they need. They are unable to control their psychosis, and carry out the violence that their voices command them to do.

By sharing my experience with other people, I believe that I can help educate and encourage people who suffer from mental illness, as well as the people who love them and care for them.