Broad Minded People: Mental Illness in the Philippines

I was having an intellectual conversation with a credit card customer services representative located in the Philippines. I asked her how mental illness was perceived in the Philippines, particularly psychosis. I asked her if there was stigma associated with mental illness. She said, “ooohh they are considered broad minded people, highly creative, artistic, and authors. They are respected.”  I let her know that I think mental illness is a gift of challenge. It challenges my life but nevertheless it has made me a better person. I told her that in the past I used to see things that other people couldn’t see, hallucinations and delusions in which I thought I was the chosen one or a prophet. I told her that my supervisor told me that he thinks mental illness/ psychosis is a sixth sense. She said, “Oh really? Like the movie. That sounds so scary. I thought those were only things you can see in movies. I didn’t know it was actually real. Wow that is so interesting.”

Then we started talking about books. I told her I wrote a book titled Bipolar Girl: My Psychotic Self. I told her that I work in the mental health field helping people. I informed her that I publically speak on the stigma associated with mental illness and promote wellness and recovery.  I told her that she can google me and I have been featured on television and radio. She said with excitement, “Wow! You are a broad minded person. I’m going to tell all my friends that I talked to a famous person from the United States. I’m going to tell all my friends to buy your book!”  I told her that I’m working on my second edition titled Hope: A Journey of Faith and Mental Health Recovery. It has a more recovery oriented and hopeful ending.  I told her that one of my favorite books is titled The Secret and it is about the Law of Attraction. I explained to her that the Law of Attraction changed my life and it helped me think positive and I learned that “thoughts create things.” I love art and I paint myself reaching out to the sun and I’m very spiritual.

She said, “Wow! Can I attract being a broad minded person, like you?”

Translate »

Connect with us!

Subscribe to our My Support Newsletter and receive messages of hope and management tips through our blogs and webinars, research updates, also learn about upcoming events, and more!

You have Successfully Subscribed!