I am a mentally ill person. Whoever reads my medical chart will find words like “depression,” “anxiety,” “not a people person.” I show support to my fellow sisters and brothers however I can. I believe in the concept “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We all might be happier if we’d follow NAMI Southwest Washington’s Tips to Interacting with Mental Health Consumers in Crisis:
• Greet people with a smile, using a pleasant tone;
• Don’t accuse or criticize;
• Speak slowly with a calm voice, use please and thank you to show respect;
• Listen;
• Empathize;
• Never lie.
I am a mentally ill person. Please feel free to treat me as such.
