Overcoming the stigma attached to mental illness.

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Generally, I don't go around advertising that I have a mental illness. I suffer from bipolar disorder. It is well under control with the right medications and I am pretty good at making regular maintenance visits to my doctor. If you have a physical disability and go to apply for a job, it is absolutely illegal for them to deny you work based on your physical handicap. The same is true for discriminating against a mentally ill person. Mental illness does not necessarily manifest itself 24/7 like some people think. Employers fear, however, that if the illness does manifest itself at some inopportune time, it could look bad for the business. This attitude is so wrong. First of all, in my experience, mental illness of any sort does not pop out on a moments notice surprising everyone. There are generally warning signs if you know a person well. Second, it's not going to affect the person's intelligence so they can't work. It may, however, temporarily handicap intelligent performance since many illnesses cause disorientation or confusion. Mental illness, in many cases, can be controlled. Also it will not change the quality of the personality of the sick person. Treat anyone who has a mental illness the same as everyone else. We are the same as everyone else.