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The Reality of 
Mental Illness

• We all get depressed from time to time, but for some these feelings cannot be overcome without professional help and may be due to past trauma, chemical imbalances, or drug abuse.

• People with mental illness come from all walks of life and cannot be determined based on gender, socioeconomic standing, or race.

• There are no magic pills that will treat mental illness and although prescription medications often play a key role, psychotherapy including cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy are almost always included in an effective treatment plan.

Claire Danes stars as Carrie Mathison in Homeland

Homeland, among other series, has taken a new look at mental illness and those who live with these conditions. By making them lead characters who are smart, witty, and whose diagnoses can sometimes be just the thing to solve a crisis or provide a new perspective that is necessary to bring down the bad guy, they are shedding new light on this issue. These new types of depictions are not only interesting to watch but they provide conversation starters and put a new face to mental illness that is not often explored: the hero.

• Remember to showcase the many sides of bipolar disorder by confronting common misconceptions head-on. For example, during a manic state individuals with bipolar disorder are often more trusting and adventurous than they would normally be. This vulnerability makes them a prime victim for crime and rarely the cause.
  
• Stigma often promotes feelings of isolation among those suffering from mental illness, preventing them from seeking out help. Consider ways that you can showcase your characters receiving encouragement from those around them that ultimately helps them to find the help they need.
  
• Bipolar disorder is treatable. Think about ways that you can explore not only the doctor visits and prescriptions that may be associated with treatment for a mental illness, but also the success stories and how treatment helped your character regain control of their life.
  

The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. CalMHSA administers programs funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) on a statewide, regional, and local basis.