Nearly one-half of Americans will confront some degree of mental illness during their lifetimes – so virtually everyone can think of a family member, friend or co-worker who contends with a condition like depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD or addiction. Despite its prevalence, mental health issues remain difficult to acknowledge. Shame and fear of stigma continue to prevent many people from seeking help – as if their struggles are due to personal failings instead of medical disorders.
The Staunton Farm Foundation works to counter stigma by helping the public understand mental illness as a common, treatable disease. In fall of 2013, the Foundation awarded a grant to the Creative Nonfiction Foundation to support a writing workshop for people with mental-health disorders, taught by noted author and editor Lee Gutkind. Ten of the participants have courageously contributed their stories to a new collection entitled Writing Away the Stigma. As the Foundation’s executive director Joni Schwager notes, “People need to come forward and share their stories. When they do, we recognize ourselves in them, and we can identify and better understand the ways that mental illness affects our lives.”