In the next several weeks I will be writing articles about mental illness. They are meant to increase awareness and better understanding and especially to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

The word "stigma" means "a mark of shame or discredit; a sign of social unacceptability." In mental illness, "stigma" refers to having negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid and discriminate against people with mental illness.

Regardless of your age, no one wants to be rejected. As a result, people who may have a mental illness are afraid to reach out for help, and the results can be devastating.

So how do we get rid of stigma? First, we must realize how common mental illness really is. Anyone can get a mental illness. About 10 percent of all Americans will have a mental illness sometime in their lives, and about 40 percent will be affected when a friend or family member develops a mental illness. Mental illness can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime and at any age. It does not discriminate against gender, religion, race or any other identifying feature. Look around at your friends and neighbors. It is possible that at least one person has a mental illness now, and many others likely will experience one over their lifetime.

One of the first ways to get rid of stigma is to watch what we say. When you first think of someone with a mental illness, do any of the following words come to mind: crazy, retarded weird, maniac, drug addict, psycho, insane, dangerous, violent, loony, sick, mental, scary, etc?

Imagine being called any of these words. Or worse, imagine having a mental illness and feeling that people think of you this way. You probably would not want to let anyone know how you are feeling.

It's important to fight stigma so people with an illness will be accepted and feel comfortable reaching out and getting the help they need. Perhaps they would not attempt to kill themselves.

(Ron Trusler is CEO of Central Plains Center. Contact him at 806-293-2636 or Some of this column was taken from "The Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County.")