People with mental illness need all the support they can find.

NOT many are aware that persons with mental illness are also disabled people. More often than not, they experience an even greater struggle than those with physical or mental impairments. Persons with mental or emotional problems frequently suffer in silence. Society is less sympathetic to their plight.

This is the real-life story of Emily (not her real name). She has been suffering from depression since 2002.

Before that, for two years, Emily had to cope with her mum’s colon cancer. Then, some good tidings arrived, but not before more bad news followed. Emily’s mum was cleared of cancer after treatment.

Then in March 2002, Emily’s mum suffered a haemorrhagic stroke. The stress was too much for Emily to handle. The thought of losing her mum became very real. The neurosurgeon told Emily that there was no guarantee that her mum would pull through.

Although her mum survived the operation, the uncertainty of it all became a major crisis point for Emily. Whilst her mum was in the intensive care unit of the hospital, Emily was going through a crisis.

Unknown to others around her, Emily became very quiet and withdrawn. She kept everything to herself, and even started skipping meals. Depression had crept in without her realising it. Emily only sought professional help about a year later – after things began to settle down somewhat for her mum.

Finding help from a private psychologist was expensive, so Emily went to a semi-government hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

She continued her treatment for five years. When her understanding psychiatrist left the hospital, Emily was miserable until she found another psychiatrist whom she was happy with. The doctor introduced a more holistic approach by administering a combination of low dosage medication and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Emily says her new doctor is good to her and the staff at the specialist clinic treat her well. “I am made to feel like a normal person. This is how I wish to be treated,” says Emily.

When Emily was first diagnosed with depression, it was tough trying to keep her status as a psychiatric patient under wraps.

Emily had a full-time job about the time her mum had a stroke. But she lost her job after that and has not had any luck finding a new job.

Emily now works as a freelance writer/editor. She points out that it is important that people with mental illness be given a chance to support themselves.

As a hemiplegic (the left side of her body is noticeably weaker than the right side), Emily says she faces discrimination from her peers because she is physically different from them.

Emily has now come to terms with her condition. She finds strength in her friends and doctors who stand by her.

Emily points out that the public must change their negative perceptions of people with mental illness.

“All we want is a chance to lead a normal life,” adds Emily.

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