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 Hazel's
Story
My family moved to America from the Philippines
many years ago. Over the years, I have learned much about the differences
between Filipino and American culture.
In the Filipino culture, mental illness is not commonly
acknowledged as a "real" disease and few people admit to having
a mental health problem because of pride and shame. Growing up as a child,
I suspected that my great aunt had a mental illness but no one in our
family ever talked about it. When we visited her, I knew that something
was wrong. I asked my parents about it but they couldn't give me an explanation
for her condition. Because of the stigma that my family feared, my great
aunt never sought treatment and was denied a chance for recovery. My
aunt passed away not too long ago. I will always wonder how different
her life would have been if she had the proper treatment.
Having lived in America for over twenty years, I have managed
to keep some of my traditional cultural values and also adopt some new
perspectives on life. For example, I know that mental illnesses are real,
common, and treatable. I also know that if given the right treatment
and services, people with mental illnesses can and do recover everyday. Overcoming
stigma is very challenging, especially when you are raised to think a
certain way.
Through the Mpower campaign, we want to eliminate stigma
so that more people recognize mental illness as a real disease. Our hope
is to make it more acceptable for all people, irrespective of their race
and ethnicity, to seek treatment for their mental health problems so
they can live long, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.
Hazel Moran, 29, Alexandria, Virginia
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