The Hub March 2015 | Page 28

What Matters To You A PTSD Life By Daniel Gray Hi, I’m Dan and I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I don’t want to hurt you, I don’t want to hurt myself, I’m on no medication, and I promise I won’t become the next mass murderer who has his name spread across national television. Nice to meet you. Have I reduced the stigma yet? Anyone suffering from any admitted mental disorder will tell you two things. One, they know there is a stigma attached, and two, they hear it. The hushed tones of “don’t mind him, he’s crazy” or the “it’s all in his head.” The thoughts and actions towards us that show us or tell us we are not as “normal” as the next person. That somehow suffering from something that we have limited to no control over makes us different. The media has played a role in spreading both good and bad messages about mental health and how you should “handle us.” Bell Let’s Talk designed commercials ]