However, much has changed since those times. Medical advancements have made it possible to map the brain and prove, beyond a doubt, that mental illness exists. So why is the stigma still present if society as a whole now understands that it’s real? As Kevin Breel hinted at, a large part of that is because of us, the people who deal with mental health issues. That’s not to say that the responsibility of the scenario rests firmly on the shoulders of the sufferers, but rather that it began with the “outside” society, and was passed down through the generations, and although it’s no longer needed, it’s still engrained in the mentally ill community. The next time you look in the mirror, look at your eyes; you’ll notice that there is a fleshy pink area on the inside corners. This is known as the Plica Semilunaris, or the third eyelid. Obviously, in humans, we’ve evolved past the point of needing it, and though it’s receded quite a bit throughout history, it’s still there; the same holds true for body hair. The stigma surrounding mental illness, in many ways, is like those parts of the human body that have become useless as evolution has moved on, and though it’s diminished greatly, it’s remnants are still there.

The stigma of mental illness is very real, and there are certainly those in society that would perpetuate it, just as there are those that would perpetuate racism or sexism. However, there are far more people who would not. The issue lies in the fact that mental illness does not rely on rational thought; it is purely emotional, and oftentimes that emotion can manifest itself as fear. Irrational fears are not new, and they’re not restricted to only the mental health community; there are many who have a fear of spiders, or cockroaches, or flying. These fears are not the fault of the person, and are often simply remnants of instincts that evolution has rendered useless, but which humanity hasn't completely erased. Just like that, the stigma around mental illness is more often than not simply the person’s mind magnifying the fear that those before us endured. Again, that is not to say that the “normal” people in society cannot exacerbate the issue, but it is important to remember that, just like our first kiss, the butterflies do not always speak the truth.

Just as with most modern stigmas, it is important for those on the “inside” to realize that emotion is not rational; simply because one may fear persecution does not mean that it’s as severe as it seems. Society still has a long way to go in the fight against the mental health stigma; those archaic beliefs still run rampant, but change does not come all at once. Change must be built upon, just as a house is built upon its foundation. Society has laid the groundwork, and now it’s time for the next step. Those of us in the mental health community, though, must be willing to recognize the role that we play in this, and must be willing to give credence to that fact. History has taught us with past stigmas that change will not come until we, as individuals both inside and outside the community, can do that. Stand up to stigma, and don't be ashamed of yourself or your feelings.