The Misconception of Mental Illness: Judy Zhou at TEDxYouth@CityOfIndustry

What does our society not understand about mental illness? Even in its progress towards equality, the negative stigma continues. Judy Zhou, a student activist, speaks out against this issue. She talks about her creation: The Project Jovi Foundation in hopes of reaching out to high school students who are struggling from various mental disorders.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@awenedwards7676]

Wow,This is powerful! How are there no more views!!! Judy Zhou I'm glad you didn't stick to your script as this was one of the most heartfelt and brave ted talks i've seen!!! xx

[@stacyrice814]

Thank you for speaking about how the "stigma" of mental illness needs to be defeated. I lost my daughter who had Bipolar disorder to suicide when she was 15 years old, in 1996. We lived in a small Texas town. The school principal, guidance counselor, and other staff, many parents and all the religious leaders in the area's protestant Christian churches were telling the kids in her school that she was "burning in hell" for this. They tried to bloke them from attending her funeral, refused their wishes to add her name to the memorial area at school and erased her from that year's yearbook.
Their words and actions, based on ignorance and fear of mental illness and suicide contagion, effectively cut off the desperately needed lifelines of anyone struggling with these problems in that entire community. These were the people we are taught to turn to for help with our problems, the ones who's job is to support and guide us through the difficulties in life. I know how this affected them because all of her friends and many other kids, and even adults, in the community reached out to me privately for help. They were now too ashamed to talk about any feelings that might put them in Robby's category. They believed their own parents wouldn't understand.
I turned to the Crisis Center in a nearby city, Dallas, for help. Their Survivors of Suicide program for those who have lost a loved one to suicide saved me. It also gave me tools and resources to help the kids and others in my community. I've been fighting against the stigma that keeps people from reaching out for help ever since. Sadly, the stigma still exists. It comforts me and gives me hope to know there are people like you willing to step up and fight to erase this stigma blocking many from reaching out for lifesaving help.
Please don't be discouraged by the lack of response to this video. I think it's the poor sound & lighting quality that limits it. I struggled to hear your presentation. And it was worth it. I'd like to encourage you to make a better quality video and release it for all to see. You definitely have insightful and valuable insights and are making a positive difference for this huge problem in our world. Post a link to it in the comments here please.

[@MrJherime]

Thanks for sharing, this is a great video/idea

[@angela-lauradinu1265]

😙