I have a friend who is pervasive enough to know she needs professional help with a form of mental illness. He doesn't want professional help. She feels she will have to take medications for the rest of her life or, worse, have a long-term stay in a behavioral health facility where they may overtreat her if she resists the treatments that her life and freedom of choice will afford her. risk. Above. You may have a better quality of life once you find the right treatment. Everyone can know someone with a mental illness, whether they have a psychotic disorder including schizophrenia and its four classifications, effective schizoid, bipolar mania, autism spectrum, Tourette's syndrome, depression, ADHD or ADD to name a few. If we don't know someone with a mental illness we may have seen films like Girl, Interrupted or A Beautiful Mind. Research shows that half of Americans will have mental health problems in their lifetime (BLOCK). Alternatively, you might also know someone who wants to leave a mark of shame on those suffering from mental illness by mocking them, imitating their strange mannerisms or insults. This is what is called stigmatization. The stigma surrounding mental illness prevents those who need help from getting help; the act of stigmatizing is wrong and should be considered offensive and stigma impacts everyone. The stigma surrounding mental illness must be stopped. One thing is for sure that no one with a mental illness has ever said; I want to have a mental illness when I grow up. To help understand mental illness and the stigma of mental illness one should define the mind, mental illness and stigma. According to Merrian-Webster .com the mind is defined as: The element or compl...... in the center of the card ......lness." not listed not listed not listed. infanttime.Web. June 19, 2011Leven , Aaron. "Psychiatric News." Guest: ALL THINGS CONSIDERED by NPR News. June 10, 2011. "Mental Illness Takes a High Toll, Starting with Youth." Merriam-Webster" 2011.Merriam-Webster.com.Web. July 8, 2011.Mind. “Dictionary Answers.com" 2011 Answers.com DictionaryWeb. July 8, 2011Staff, The Mayo Clinic. "The Mayo Clinic." May 26, 2011. Mayo Clinic.com.Web. June 27, 2011. “Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General.” not listed not listed. Surge General. Network. June 17 2011.