Chris Cornell’s brother Peter made a Facebook post yesterday about World Mental Health Day. He appeared to react to some of the subtle shade thrown at him on Instagram by Chris’ mother-in-law Toni Karayiannis over the last couple of months. There has been a deep divide between Peter and Toni Karayiannis/Vicky Cornell for a few months now.
World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, a day we can strive to combat the stigma that mental health struggles are not real. They are real. In the U.S., approx 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness annually, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. About 1 in 25 struggle with a serious mental illness.
Daunting stats. 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness annually. I come from a family of 6 kids. Obviously we didn’t escape the plight of mental illness.
I’ve battled depression for a long time. Although never diagnosed, my Father certainly seemed to suffer from it during my life. My Brother spoke of his struggles with depression (and addiction) many times over the years.
And there is that word again. Stigma. Somehow it’s “sexy” to be an addict (of which I am also familiar), but let’s not talk about mental illness. Stigma.
Although I’ve experienced abuse, addiction and mental illness, I am not the poster child, WE are not the poster child. WE are just like you. WE are the same.
There is no shame or reason to hide.
There are those who re-victimize and bully us. Taunt and demand us to re-live and tell the details of our painful upbringing. To what end? It doesn’t erase the damage done. It doesn’t turn back the hands of time. We are survivors.
Forgiveness.
At the end of the day, forgiveness isn’t about “them”, it’s about what it brings to us. Peace.
Vicky Cornell tweeted on World Mental Health Day, “Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay help raise awareness- end the stigma around #behavioral health disorders and #addiction. You are not alone.”
Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay help raise awareness- end the stigma around #behavioral health disorders and #addiction. You are not alone. https://t.co/Gu5Ut1qrMX
— Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) October 10, 2017
