People With Schizophrenia Aren't Monsters

I have a friend who suffers from recurring depression. I have a friend who's trying hard everyday in his life to control his chronic OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I have a friend who's still coping with problems of social interaction because he was a victim of bullies. Believe it or not, I'm speaking from own experience, spending years with them because they're my friends. I could emphatize with their conditions and maybe I was lucky, I could cope and deal with problems and mental stresses better than them.

But a few days ago, while I was searching the internet for mental health coping mechanism (which was to help my friend getting through his depressive episodes) I ran across this one amazing courageous young woman named Cecilia McGough. I was so moved by her speech at Ted Talk (which you can watch it online) about how she struggles with her schizophrenic episodes since she was little until today.

Cecilia McGough at TedxPSU

Yes, that's right. She's living with this mental condition until today, as a bright astrophysicist major. She hallucinates a clown similar to the 'IT' clown from Stephen King's horror movie and a dark faceless girl, who would stab her, leaving an excruciating pain on her. But in all those hallucinations, she manages to thrive and rise above her mental condition by her strength to prove that this mental illness is not as twisted and ugly as what media showed it to be. She gives talks and support to all people who are suffering this mental illness and trying to break the stigma that all people with schizophrenia is 'mad'; or worst being called a 'monster'.

(Photo source: medium.com/cecilia-mcgough)

In my opinion, this is what our society should be focusing on rather than quick to implement harsh judgment on people like them. Cecilia is the living proof that a person with schizophrenia could lead a normal happy life like every other human with the right support system and encouragement.

(Photo source: www.sws.ngo)

She also started a non-profit organization 'Students With Schizophrenia' to help schizophrenic college students with financial, academic and support system so these students won't be isolated by the world and they too, could live a normal and better than life like this.

Some mental illnesses are not contagious diseases which could spread like viruses. Some people were born with them and they didn't ask to be born that way. As a decent human being, we too should stop stigmatizing people with mental illness like some mad people who could run amok causing troubles.

Break the norm and let go of the stigmatization. We need less judgement and more encouragement in this world.

People with schizophrenia aren't monsters.

They are humans.

We all are.