ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The one thing we've never spoken about
The one thing we've never spoken about
The one thing we've never spoken about
Saturday 15th April 2023
Journalist Elfy Scott discusses her family's silent battle with schizophrenia and the importance of breaking mental health stigma.
29 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Hopeful
Transformative
Supportive
About this podcast
Author:
ABC Radio
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Breaking the Silence: A Family's Journey with Schizophrenia
Episode Overview
- Family's struggle with schizophrenia and silence
- Impact of mental health stigma on open discussion
- Success stories crucial in dispelling myths
- Access to extensive mental health care and support
- Positive shift in family's willingness to address schizophrenia
I do think about it. and I've thought about it for many years. Like it's an anxiety that I absolutely carry with me and my sister has told me that she carries as well. And I think that it's a possibility. I just have to accept that if it does eventuate, you know, I will have access to exactly the right kind of care.
Imagine growing up in a household where one topic is always off-limits. For journalist Elfy Scott, that taboo subject was her mother's schizophrenia. Despite the love and tight-knit bond in her family, the silence surrounding her mother's mental health condition created an atmosphere of loneliness and confusion for Elfy. This episode dives into Elfy's candid recounting of her family's journey with schizophrenia, shedding light on the profound impact of mental health stigma.
Elfy opens up about how her mother's struggle with auditory hallucinations and paranoia was never openly acknowledged, leading to a sense of abnormality in their home. While Elfy could discuss her own mental health issues with friends, schizophrenia remained a forbidden topic. The episode highlights how media portrayals focusing on crime and a lack of positive narratives contribute to the stigma, further isolating those affected.
Elfy's mother's success in managing her condition, thanks to extensive mental health care and a supportive social circle, underscores the importance of breaking the silence. By sharing her story, Elfy hopes to dispel myths and foster a more inclusive understanding of mental health. Her book, 'The One Thing We've Never Spoken About', has even prompted her family to finally discuss the once-taboo subject, marking a significant shift in their approach to mental health conversations.