Even though we’re witnessing a time when more people openly talk about mental health while taking conscious actions toward promoting mental well-being, one group still feels left out - Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). Being abled differently can be stressful. Not being able to join in the activities your peers are involved in can cause one to feel a wide range of not-so-good emotions.
While trying to cope with their new reality, PWDs often feel frustrated, sad and angered while some even feel grief. This would take a huge toll on anyone’s mental health. It is also no secret that our society isn’t best designed to cope with and accommodate the unique lifestyle of PWDs and this always causes loneliness and isolation. This is where depression, anxiety and low self-esteem commence.
Talking about stigma and discrimination. Those myths and misconceptions spread about PWDs cause more harm than we can ever imagine.
So what can be done to help change things for the better?
Let us all advocate for accessible and well-equipped mental health care centers. Having qualified psychiatrists in these centers so that PWDs can seek assistance when they feel overwhelmed would be so helpful.
Secondly, raising awareness of the plight of PWDs might just be what saves the day. Sensitize your peers on how PWDs are suffering mentally and the thing we do, normally or subconsciously, that contributes to their suffering. Let’s have open dialogues and both online and offline campaigns teaching others why this matters and what we can do as a society to right such wrongs.
Additionally, it is important that we design our spaces and activities to embrace PWDs. This is the easiest way of ensuring inclusivity for all. Want to play football? Make that brother your referee. Having that ramp might just make a difference to that person using a wheelchair. It’s always the little things that matter.
According to American Industrialist Henry Ford, Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. PWD organizations should collaborate with Human Rights organizations and other like-minded bodies to get the plight of these persons to as many ears as possible.
Lastly, let’s all take personal initiative and responsibility. If you’re in the habit of frustrating PWDs, today is a good day to stop. Be kind enough and help wherever you can. These people are already dealing with so much and adding to their woes isn’t exactly the smartest thing to do.