Those of us who are working to reform our fractured mental health system need to begin talking to each other.
During my travels, I’ve visited many communities where there is little or no communication. The police don’t talk to local providers who take care of persons with mental disorders and substance abuse issues. These providers don’t talk to parents. And no one talks to the persons who are actually sick. 
Okay, I’m being a bit facetious — but my point is spot on.
Rather than cooperating, each faction does what it always has done and ignores how tax dollars could be saved and how people could be better treated through community collaboration.
On its website, Burger King shows a video about social responsibility with Pete Smith, one of its top managers, talking about the importance of diversity and treating people respectfully. 
Apparently Mr. Smith has not watched the newest television commercials that his company is broadcasting on prime time.
The Burger King — which is, I guess, what you call the company’s mascot — is shown being chased by two men in white coats. A woman watching the chase helps the fleeing King by tossing water in one of the men’s faces while the other man screams that the King is CRAZY. Meanwhile, the King runs away.
Get it? Little men in white coats chasing someone who is crazy. Ha, ha, ha.
The ad, of course, turns people with serious mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression into a punch line. Oh, those CRAZY people need to be locked up. The ad is demeaning and it marginalizes people with serious disorders while increasing stigma and harmful stereotypes.
Continue reading ‘Let’s Make Burger King Accountable’
