Mental Illness is Not a Punchline
Entering the theater, I was expecting to see a movie explaining the background story of an infamous villain and had absolutelty no idea that what awaited me instead was a loud cry for mental health awareness.I was astounded that there would be so much fact in fiction. I did not like the movie, because I cannot inherently LIKE that the treatment of people with mental disease is so toxic. It made me cringe, it made me grimace, it made me feel suffocated inside.
Why?
Because the reality of what is going on today for those who suffer from mental illness is no joke. The movie so accurately depicted today’s society that it made me feel overwhelmingly sad. It made me feel uncomfortable.
How did we get here?
Many tell Arthur, (who becomes The Joker), that he should not be a comedian because he, “isn’t funny,” but what they don not realize is he is trying to tell them that having his hope for stability and mental health demolished is what really is not funny. Every card was stacked against him from the beginning; abuse, lies, trauma, lack of social services, lack of support system, lack of father figure. But people do not see that, they simply see him as a down-and-out clown. And so that is why he brought out the Joker, the wild card who cannot take his medications, who was denied therapy due to budget cuts, who is trying to tell everyone, “I need help,” but has no one there to listen.
Prior to seeing the movie, my mother informed me that it is the highest grossing R rated movie to date. I said,
“Crazy people,” we call them (and shove them into a box they cannot jump out of).
“You should really get some help,” we tell them (and offer no support).
“Living off of the system,” we accuse them (and deny them opportunities to succeed in life).
“What’s wrong with you?” we question (without realizing this thought resounds within them on a 24/7 basis).
“Just shake it off,” we advice them (and further threaten their mental health by denying them the opportunity to express it).
“Just fake it till you make it,” we suggest (and tell them they ought to pretend they do not have a disease).
Our words and actions wall them in and isolate them. We would never dare tell someone with cancer that they ought to pretend they don’t have it, we would grieve with them. We would never tell someone with a broken neck that they should really get some help, we would call 911. We would never accuse a family who has been bankrupt by their child’s congenital disease--because their insurance doesn’t cover such extensive medical problems-- that they are living off of the system, we would fundraise to pay for their medical expenses.
And we would never ever ask someone who is miscarrying their 2nd child, “what is wrong with you?”, we would hold their hand and join them in their brokenness.
So, after watching The Joker, what are we supposed to do?
We stop labeling and start listening.
We call 911. Better yet, we seek preventive services.
We grieve with them. We try to enter their world and hold their broken pieces.
We fundraise and advocate for mental health services.
We offer our own physical, mental, emotional, and financial support to them.
We partner with them to let them know they are not alone.
Because living with a mental disease is no joke.
Why?
Because the reality of what is going on today for those who suffer from mental illness is no joke. The movie so accurately depicted today’s society that it made me feel overwhelmingly sad. It made me feel uncomfortable.
How did we get here?
Many tell Arthur, (who becomes The Joker), that he should not be a comedian because he, “isn’t funny,” but what they don not realize is he is trying to tell them that having his hope for stability and mental health demolished is what really is not funny. Every card was stacked against him from the beginning; abuse, lies, trauma, lack of social services, lack of support system, lack of father figure. But people do not see that, they simply see him as a down-and-out clown. And so that is why he brought out the Joker, the wild card who cannot take his medications, who was denied therapy due to budget cuts, who is trying to tell everyone, “I need help,” but has no one there to listen.
Prior to seeing the movie, my mother informed me that it is the highest grossing R rated movie to date. I said,
“I guess the people want it, whatever it is the movie is about.” She responded,
"Yeah, perhaps we need to love more but still watch out for the clown.”
After laying eyes upon the actual film, I understand now what is resonating so deeply with people. What is bringing in so much revenue is not because it is part of a world-famous series, nor that it is the best story ever, (if what you like in a story are happy endings, that is), but rather that, on some level, it brings all of us to a breathtaking realization that there are real-live Jokers everywhere.
“Crazy people,” we call them (and shove them into a box they cannot jump out of).
“You should really get some help,” we tell them (and offer no support).
“Living off of the system,” we accuse them (and deny them opportunities to succeed in life).
“What’s wrong with you?” we question (without realizing this thought resounds within them on a 24/7 basis).
“Just shake it off,” we advice them (and further threaten their mental health by denying them the opportunity to express it).
“Just fake it till you make it,” we suggest (and tell them they ought to pretend they do not have a disease).
Our words and actions wall them in and isolate them. We would never dare tell someone with cancer that they ought to pretend they don’t have it, we would grieve with them. We would never tell someone with a broken neck that they should really get some help, we would call 911. We would never accuse a family who has been bankrupt by their child’s congenital disease--because their insurance doesn’t cover such extensive medical problems-- that they are living off of the system, we would fundraise to pay for their medical expenses.
And we would never ever ask someone who is miscarrying their 2nd child, “what is wrong with you?”, we would hold their hand and join them in their brokenness.
So, after watching The Joker, what are we supposed to do?
We stop labeling and start listening.
We call 911. Better yet, we seek preventive services.
We grieve with them. We try to enter their world and hold their broken pieces.
We fundraise and advocate for mental health services.
We offer our own physical, mental, emotional, and financial support to them.
We partner with them to let them know they are not alone.
We stop making mental illness a punchline.
And most importantly of all: we fight to prevent mental disease in the first place.
We protect our children, we stop abuse, we eliminate the toxic substances, we role model, we listen, we don’t bottle up, we educate, we assess, we love and we love and we love.
The Joker was filled with darkness, a sad, culminating darkness. There were parts I could not even stand to watch. But what was most unbearable was knowing this is the daily experience of thousands upon thousands of people.
And most importantly of all: we fight to prevent mental disease in the first place.
We protect our children, we stop abuse, we eliminate the toxic substances, we role model, we listen, we don’t bottle up, we educate, we assess, we love and we love and we love.
The Joker was filled with darkness, a sad, culminating darkness. There were parts I could not even stand to watch. But what was most unbearable was knowing this is the daily experience of thousands upon thousands of people.
My patients.
The people we see on the street.
Our own family members.
Us.
Don’t dance alone, don’t listen to the turbid music within you by yourself: open yourself up with someone trustworthy. And to those who are given the privilege of hearing one’s heart poured out: open up your own heart in turn and pour out everything you have to love and help them.
Don’t dance alone, don’t listen to the turbid music within you by yourself: open yourself up with someone trustworthy. And to those who are given the privilege of hearing one’s heart poured out: open up your own heart in turn and pour out everything you have to love and help them.
Because living with a mental disease is no joke.
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