Author Fights the Stigma During Mental Illness Awareness Week Oct. 4-10

Collinsville, IL, September 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​October 4-10 is designated as national Mental Illness Awareness Week and with this year’s theme revolving around a “StigmaFree” initiative, John Shuchart is busy. The successful entrepreneur is doing his part to put a spotlight on the stigma by speaking out about his own mental illness on social media, radio, television and in person.

When Shuchart announced last year that he had experienced deep bouts of depression and was in recovery with his mental illness, he encountered two very different responses.

"It (stigma) is the most important impediment to recovery for those suffering from mental illness. People don't want anyone to know, so they don't get the help they need. They stop taking their medications. They feel so embarrassed and ashamed that suicide begins to look like the best option."

John Shuchart, Author & Speaker

“I think everyone I spoke with probably had my best interests at heart,” Shuchart said.  “But their responses fell into one of two categories. Either I was ‘so brave’ for revealing my illness… or I was ‘crazy’ for even mentioning it. By admitting I had a mental illness, I was likely doing permanent damage to my reputation as a businessman.”

For Shuchart, neither approach seems appropriate. Because his depression is a mental illness, a biological condition just like cancer or any other disease, he couldn’t accept the heartfelt sentiments that he was “brave.” He didn’t choose to have depression; it’s an illness. Similarly, because Shuchart was getting treatment and was managing his illness, and still possessed the business acumen that had made him successful, he didn’t appreciate the suggestions that he should keep quiet about his depression.

“It was hard not to be offended,” said Shuchart, “It was like a smack in the face. But at the same time, it captured the essence of why the stigma exists. Both groups simply don’t understand it.” Shuchart points out the significance of the stigma and its impact on our nation’s mental health.

“Stigma leads to people not seeking help, or adhering to their prescribed treatment,” said Shuchart. “It (stigma) is the most important impediment to recovery for those suffering from mental illness. People don’t want anyone to know, so they don’t get the help they need. They stop taking their medications. They feel so embarrassed and ashamed that suicide begins to look like the best option.”

Another critical result of the stigma is that it leads to social avoidance. Mental illness sufferers are labeled as being unstable and violent, and they face discrimination.  This creates a climate of fear and isolation that leads to a reduced quality of life. Having a mental illness is challenging enough; becoming a social pariah doesn’t help.

Shuchart recently formed The Shuchart Group, an organization that is committed to ending the mental illness stigma once and for all, and is marketing Shuchart’s humorous new book called “You are not the brightest of my four sons”…and other depressing things that have been said to me.  The book tells his story of growing up in an emotionally abusive home, surviving life-threatening accidents, an addiction to prescription painkillers and a planned suicide attempt. “You are not the brightest” is a fundraising tool for nonprofit organizations that support mental health. The book is available exclusively through those participating nonprofits and through the book website www.notthebrightest.com.

Shuchart and his team have established fundraising partnerships with NAMI affiliates in Kansas (NAMI Topeka, NAMI Wichita), Missouri (NAMI St. Louis, NAMI Southwest Missouri) and Illinois (NAMI Southwestern Illinois). They have also recently attracted the attention of NAMI affiliates in the Los Angeles area. On October 3rd, The Shuchart Group will be participating in one of the largest “NAMI Walks” in the country in L.A. and will be selling books at the event, a community kickoff to Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Recently, Shuchart collaborated with Kansas City comedian David Naster to develop a one-of-a-kind workshop for therapists and social workers, teaching them how to work with their patients by using humor in their struggles with mental illness. The four-hour workshop qualifies for continuing education units (CEU’s) for industry professionals.

At age 66, Shuchart now devotes 100% of his time working to fighting the stigma, supporting nonprofits, and promoting humor as an important component in one’s mental health. He actively advocates for mental illness sufferers through organizations across the country and can be seen discussing the stigma of mental illness in this recent video series for the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition.

“I have to lead by example,” Shuchart said. “By writing this book, by creating the workshop, by speaking to groups, I’m standing out front, saying to everyone and anyone who will listen, ‘I have a mental illness. I have owned six businesses. I wrote a book. I have great friends and family. I’m okay!’”

“And you can be too!”

To learn more about John Shuchart and his book “You are not the brightest of my four sons”… and other depressing things that have been said to me, or to schedule him for an appearance, go to www.notthebrightest.com.

A dynamic public speaker, John is comfortable on a national stage. He spoke on CNN about AFTER, a curriculum he developed to help high school and middle school youth work through the anxiety caused by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The program spawned two books: Kids’ Letters to Terrorists, and Israeli Kids’ Letters to Terrorists, a book for which Israeli President Shimon Peres provided the foreword.

###