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How I learned to mind my own business...
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I agree. If you all will indulge me, I'm going to hijack this thread for a teachable moment. Our youngest of two sons was diagnosed with a serious brain disorder. As a result, my wife and I became involved with www.nami.org several years ago. We both teach the NAMI Family-to-Family 12-week education course to help families cope when a loved-one is diagnosed with one of these life-altering illnesses. (I am also my state's program director for Family-to-Family). Here is more info on the Family-to-Family program, including a great video: www.nami.org/f2f
I know these kinds of jokes about mental illness are not meant maliciously or with any ill will. However, the reality of mental illness is far from a laughing matter. Having taught the Family-to-Family course many times now, I have heard more than my share of stories about the heartache of families with ill loved ones. As a result, I no longer look at jokes about mental illness the same way. (also it's funny how having something like this hit your own family changes one's perspective). For example, you should have heard the young mother in a recent F2F class who's 9-year-old son is diagnosed with childhood onset paranoid schizophrenia. She relates to our class the story of how her young son is terrified that the devil is outside the window of their home trying to kill him. He sees blood dripping down the walls of his room. Imagine that experience for a 9-year old child. The mother is crying so hard she can barely get the words out to tell the story. Then I recall the crushing sadness of the parents of a young man who had an appointment to the US Air Force Academy. They we so proud of their son and had such high hopes for his future in the Air Force. That is, until he suffered a major psychotic break during his Freshman year and was sent home with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia (late teens/early twenties is very typical for the onset of Schizophrenia). Any hope for this young man of a military career is gone forever.
I'm sorry to be a downer in the humor section, but I feel it is important that folks understand that people with mental illnesses are suffering from very real, biological illnesses and deserve the same compassion and understanding as those who suffer from any other serious illness. The stigma that is out there with regards to mental illness is why, I believe, there are so many with mental illness who do not seek the treatment that they need.
It is also why I do the NAMIWalks fund drive each year to raise money for NAMI so that we can continue the many great education and advocacy programs that help those affected it mental illness and their families. I hope, if you are able, you will consider clicking on my NAMIWalks banner above and making a small donation to this cause which is near and dear to my heart.
Thanks.