In Part One, I posed the following question and answer…

https://mentallyillinamerica.com/2020/02/28/better-but-not-fixed-a-response-to-my-voices-about-employment-and-mental-health-part-one/

Question: Why don’t mental health advocates talk more about schizophrenia and related disorders?

Answer: It’s not in the agenda.

The reason many mental health professionals do not have it in the agenda, has to do with the severity of the illness.

It is so serious in nature that trying to explain it, regardless of who explains things (even a psychiatrist), people will oftentimes walk away misunderstanding it.

Unless you, yourself have it, or you are a caretaker, or professional… you may just get the wrong idea.

What makes matters even worse, is that the majority of sufferers cannot maintain employment at all (roughly about 10% do).

Also, nearly 10% of those afflicted, succeed in committing suicide, which means even more attempt it.

That’s why I am here, to offer you a better understanding of this family of disorders, when and where I can.

As someone living with schizoaffective disorder (who has been through many changes in stability and functioning), I may ultimately fail in educating you, but I will do my best to succeed!

I feel quite heavily the weight of my decision to share these thoughts, knowing that this will garner the wrong kind of attention. Probably.

But, can we be candid for a moment… about schizophrenia and employment?

When did we become a society that values employment over diminished health?

In taking care of my own diminished health, I have tremendous issues. 20 years after that first diagnosis.

In terms of how I’ve progressed, I still have all of the same issues I’ve always had. Except now I have some awareness.

There is nothing new under the sun, except that the crux of what I say here will be taken out of context and mostly misunderstood.

I am not capable of any kind of employment. Current attitude notwithstanding.

I may be poised in how I speak (I always have been), but I am not well (I am NOT suicidal). Nor will I ever be well (that seems to be the trajectory). Certainly not well enough to do the things I need to do to be employed.

Question: When will other people with schizophrenia and related disorders, stand up and say this?

Answer: They can’t. They won’t. And, why is that? Because the vast majority of persons with schizophrenia type disorders are not contributing members of society.

Question: Why don’t mental health advocates talk more about schizophrenia and related disorders?

Answer: It’s not in the agenda.

Ever wonder why?