Letter: Don't judge the mentally ill before trying to understand

Editor,

Everyone has a right to an opinion, but some education is helpful.

By reading Mario Hernandez' comments in his letter in last week's Daily Lobo, it is easy to tell he knows nothing about mental health issues. He knows nothing about how difficult it is to obtain quality mental health care, nor does he know anything about the difficulties people with mental illnesses have controlling their illnesses.

Moreover, he knows nothing about John Hyde. Many articles have been printed describing in detail the efforts that were made to get John Hyde help for his mental illness, a medically diagnosed brain disorder that he has had to live with for some 20 years. Dozens of people have previous knowledge of his mental illness.

Furthermore, faking a mental illness is far from easy. Does Hernandez even know what the symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or even major depression are? He has no clue what people with mental illnesses go through on a day-to-day basis and no idea what it's like to feel so paranoid that you think everyone is out to get you or what it's like to be unable to work because you can't focus on the simplest of tasks.

Hernandez has no idea what it is like to have to take medications that make you feel like you are under water, medications that make your tongue swell up so much you feel like you can't breathe. He has no idea what it's like when the medications you must take for the rest of your life often have debilitating side effects. He has no idea what it's like to be involuntarily committed to a mental health institution where you are forced to take these medications - and if you don't cooperate, are placed in restraints that are so terrible you feel like you will die.

Also, what makes him think that being in a mental institution for the rest of your life is so much better than being in prison? You lose your freedom, you have very few rights, and you are told when to eat, when to sleep, when to wake up, when to shower and when to use the restroom. Neither place is where you want to spend the rest of your life. You will never be able to go for a walk in the park, go fishing, have a pet or go to your family's birthday celebrations, weddings or funerals.

Rather than wasting your time revealing your ignorance to the community, Hernandez, I suggest you take a psychology class, do some research on mental illness, or speak to someone who has a mental illness. You might also want to look up the definition of "incompetent." It's impossible to suddenly become "conveniently incompetent."

Or you could sit down with me and I'll tell you what it's like to have a family member who has a serious mental illness. Someday in your life you may have a loved one who will experience a mental illness, and they may need your help.

Robert Hyde

UNM staff