Covid-19 Journal #1

3.20.20
Q1: The first day after school was closed, I got chills when I stepped outside. No one outside. No one in cars, no one on bikes, no one walking, nobody. I live by a golf course typically filled with dog walkers, but not a person was in sight. My family and I carried on as if everything was normal, but whenever we’d go outside, it felt uncomfortably eerie. When I went for a run that day, I decided to go down Sheridan road, because it usually has a consistent stream of traffic. As I should have guessed, I saw two cars in total over the duration of my run. Since then, the number of people outside has definitely increased, but it is still significantly less than it was merely two weeks ago. Neighbors have conversations from across the street, briefly chatting about their experience at the grocery store that day. I find that people only go outside to do the necessities like walking the dog, or driving to the grocery store. My neighborhood is a tightly knit community, so this crisis hasn’t broken our bond. In fact, we have been acting more as a community than every before, doing things like helping elderly people buy groceries, or offering other forms of service to those who need it. I haven’t felt that eerie feeling in a few days now, but with the unknowingness of what could happen, there is always the possibility of its return.

4.6.20
Q6: This might be quite a surprise to some, even myself, but the best thing I ate today was a bowl of Life Cereal. On a typical school day, I seem to always rush out the door, so I never have time to grab more than an apple on my way out the door. Yet now with our current situation, I have all the time in the world. With all this time, I still chose one of the most simple breakfasts in the most simple flavor- life cereal. There is something nostalgic about this cereal and the simpler elementary school times associated with it. I remember my dad placing it in front of me in a plastic ikea bowl, then dowsing it with milk until it was completely submerged. Now, I repeat this same process, but I’m doing it by myself instead of my dad, and the times are chaotically simple. So, that’s what made my bowl of cereal so satisfying this morning. Just the fact that I had time to eat a bowl of cereal. And the taste of course :)

4.9.20

Q18: Today in health class we met on a zoom call and used up the whole hour of class time. It was the most relaxing thing I have done all week. For the first half hour, my whole class just had a conversation letting us catch up with each other. It was one of the most normal conversations that I’ve had all week because it felt like something typically done in that class at school, so it mimicked that connected feeling. Then, for the second half of class, my teacher led stretching and meditation. When it was over, I felt rejuvenated and calm. It definitely was something I never would have done on my own, so for that reason, I’m definitely glad that we have a somewhat structured schedule, and that our non-core classes still require us to be engaged.

Junior Theme Reflection

Mental Health Infographic (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 

Abstract: My research paper explores the stigma surrounding mental illness. I chose this topic because I wanted to learn more about something that impacts people close to me. In my research, I found a strong connection between the stigma and what is portrayed in box office films. According to the book Mental Illness in Popular Culture, of the movies featuring “psychotic” people (those suffering from mental illness), “over 90 percent, were released after 1960” (Mental Illness in Popular Culture, Sharon Packer). As many of these films were thrillers centered around a violent mentally diagnosed antagonist, “the false connection of evil and mental illness” was formed (Junior Theme). I also found that the lack of education contributed to the stigma around mental illness. Unfortunately, there is a disconnect between the severity of physical illness and mental illness, as physical illness is prioritized both personally and in health care institutions. Additionally, there is a large impact from language and actions towards those with mental illness. Vocabulary such as crazy, disturbed, or psycho, “all stem from mental [illness] diagnosis and have negative connotations, yet we use them in our everyday vocabulary”, spreading the stigma and polarizing those with mental health challenges (Junior Theme).

Reflection: From my research, I was most surprised when learning more about the difference in treatment of physical and mental illness in professional settings. One case was especially horrifying, in which a patient’s symptoms associated with mental illness were brought to a doctors attention, and dismissed by the doctor, later resulting in the patient's death. I was devastated to hear that even a doctor, one of the most educated professionals, had succumbed to society’s stigma. Later in my research, I discovered that the distinction between physical and mental illness is more common than I thought. Even in schools, teachers are trained significantly less on how to handle mental illness when approached by a student, compared to a physical illness, like an allergic reaction. At the beginning of my research, I believed that the stigma surrounding mental illness was on the rise, but I now know it’s the contrary. The number of people acknowledging their mental illness is increasing, and this is largely due to the decrease in stigma and growth of acceptance and understanding. For example, therapy is now a common practice, whether you have mental health issues or not. People are less afraid to discuss their mental illness with friends, family, and even casual acquaintances. If I had the opportunity, I would continue my research into mental health stigma within minority groups. I noticed many articles focused on why the stigma is greater within minority groups, finding that it’s commonly seen as a sign of weakness, and therefore shamed. I found the topic of language surrounding stigma to be most interesting, because words like “psycho” or “crazy” are used in such a casual sense, that I rarely think twice when hearing or saying them myself. Yet, after researching, I understand why these words can be offensive to those with a diagnosed mental illness or disorder, as they are used out of context and in a derogatory way. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this topic, and hope to apply it to my own life as I attempt to create a less stigmatized environment for those around me.