Update : This photo was shared all across facebook to encourage the bashing of this young man and his victimization, once again showing that Trinidad culture is very immature when it comes to dealing with mental illness.
This young man is innocent until proven guilty and does not deserve to be harassed , if something is wrong with him he needs compassion and help.
This headline ran in the guardian on Thursday December 22nd 2011. Typical sensationalist journalism that we'v become used to in this country. This is a society that encourages and consents to Ian Alleyne airing crime footage , including the rape of an underage girl . During the Port of Spain bombings the papers ran a front page photo of an elderly woman with her foot severed...
But the cheap, sensational nature of local journalism isn't what i want to address today. The bigger issue here is one with the whole of Trini society :
There is no respect and little compassion for persons suffering from mental conditions.
The Guardian headline is indicative of this problem. It implies that 'Shizos' have criminal tenancies and are violent by nature . The use of 'Shizo' effectively dehumanizes and marginalizes this man.
It's no different from 'fag' , 'coolie' or 'nigger' in its effect , you're picking out one characteristic of a human being and using it to define their entire existence.
Trinbagonian society is full of persons suffering from mental conditions, we all know at least one person suffering from one. Whether it be clinical depression or bipolar disorder.
But there is little understanding and support for these people.
Suicide is a serious problem in our country as a result. For many couples the threat of ‘I go kill myself if you leave me’ is a common threat (I heard of someone saying this just this week).
We’v had cases where teenagers hung themselves over exam stress or because of relationships.
Mental health is a very serious problem, yet its treated as a joke by many.
I’v dated a girl who had to see a psychologist for counseling, and she made me promise never to tell anyone about it out of shame. I know of another young woman who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and likewise keeps it a secret out of shame.
The added stress and self-conscious embarrassment associated with these conditions makes it harder to cope on a day to day basis. How is a person supposed to recover from depression if going to counseling makes them feel ashamed, and even more depressed?
This cultural disrespect and irreverence towards mental illness must change for the better. Do your part and educate others on this issue, remind them it’s no laughing matter ,lives are at stake.
Guardian headline : http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/12/22/schizo-pleads-guilty-assault-magistrate
Study showing the Suicide rate in Trinidad is extremely high 'Paraquat' is another name for Gramazone :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10407970
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