Alana Bourgeois

Period 4
September 13, 2014
Drowning At Sea
Expository Speech
I.
Introduction
A. Attention-Getter Storytelling- Everyone goes through hard times in their life when
they feel like giving up, but with a mental illness its worse. When you have a mental
illness doing the most normal things in life can fell like youre constantly swimming
against the tide, fighting to keep your head above water.
B. Transition - Link to Thesis Its important that we become educated about the
different types of mental illnesses. We need to stop treating people with mental
illnesses like pariahs.
C. Thesis Statement Society needs to change their views about mental illnesses.
D. Preview of Points- My three main points are what mental illnesses are, why its
important to change the stigmas against mental illnesses, and the solution to making
this change.
E. Transition: Signpost Lets take the plunge into this subject, starting with my first
point.
II.
Body
A. Main Point 1 My first point is what mental illness is. Ill be focusing on two specific
types of mental illnesses: depression and general anxiety disorder.
a. Subpoint 1- Mental illnesses are disorders of brain
function.
1. Testimony/Fact- There are many causes of mental illnesses but they tend to result
from a combination of a persons genes and their environment. A common
misconception is that its your choice to have a mental illness or not. This is completely
untrue and is something we need to inform people about. Noam Shpancer said, Mental
health is not a destination but a process. Its about how you drive, not where youre
going. ("Mental Disorders.")
b. Subpoint 2- Depression is a mood disorder that is caused
when the brain function that controls your emotions isnt
working properly.
1. Fact/Statistic Someone who has depression is constantly bombarded with
intense negative emotions. 7% of people will experience depression each year.
Depression is known to run in families because of genetics but can also be caused by
different types major stressors in a persons life. Some possible symptoms of depression
are change in appetite or sleep patterns, feeling hopeless, loss of energy, self-blame,

suicidal thoughts, and loss of interest in things or activities you used to enjoy.
("Depression.") (Depression - TeenMentalHealth.org.")
c. Subpoint 3 Anxiety is the ability of the brain function that
controls signals to identify danger and initiate action to avoid it.
1. Fact/statstic When you have general anxiety disorder you are always tense and on
edge. Your brain sends you signals of danger when there is no danger present. People
with this disorder are constantly worrying about every day events and arent able to
control this worry. 9% of people have general anxiety disorder. Symptoms of this illness
can include trouble sleeping and concentrating, fatigue, muscle tension, aches or pains,
shaking or sweating, and extreme emotional distress. ("Anxiety.") ("Generalized Anxiety
Disorder - TeenMentalHealth.org.")
d. Transition: Review-Preview- Now that weve dipped our
feet into the water, we can dive into the stigmas of mental
illnesses and why its important to fix them.
B. Main Point 2 It is important that stigmas against mental illnesses drown with the
other lies that are produced in society.
a. Subpoint 1- There are many stigmas about mental illnesses
that are generalized in the public and shared through social
media.
1. Fact/Comparison- There are two types of stigmas: social stigma and self-stigma.
Social stigma is discrimination against individuals with mental health issues. Self-stigma
is when the person with the mental health issue believes the negative stigmas portrayed
by the media and thinks less of themselves. They believe that they are less important
because of their mental health. Some general stigmas about mental health issues are
that people believe those with mental illnesses are weak, defective, or lack willpower.
People exclude others with mental illnesses because they believe they are dangerous or
irresponsible. It is more likely that someone with a mental health issue will hurt
themselves than others. (Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson.) (Davey, Graham C.)
b. Subpoint 2- Stigmas about mental illnesses negatively affect
people with mental illnesses.
1. Narrative/Example When there are so many negative views on mental illnesses it
shames people with these problems. This leads to poor treatment of people with mental
health issues. They are less likely to seek help for their issues and this affects their
mental health. These stigmas delay their recovery. People who think they might have a
mental illness dont want to admit they have a problem for fear of being excluded by
their peers. Stigmas against mental illnesses affect peoples health and well-being.
Douglas Bloch wrote an article about the stigmas of mental illnesses that he faced when
he was treated for anxiety and depression. He was treated for these illnesses at a
hospital for 3 days but was afraid to tell his employer the truth of his absence. Bloch
feared being fired for having these mental illnesses so he lied and said he was being
treated for insomnia. (Bloch, Douglas.) (Bowers, Elizabeth S.)
c. Transition: Internal Summary- Now that weve taken the

dive into stigmas of mental illnesses, we need to learn to swim

through a solution.
C. Main Point 3 Education of mental illnesses to the general public is essential to
ending stigmas of mental illnesses.
a. Subpoint 1- By protesting against the negative views of
mental health the public can be better informed on the truth of
these illnesses.
1. Fact/Comparison- Protesting inaccurate portrayals of mental illnesses will help to
eliminate negative stigmas about these issues. This tells the public to stop believing in
the incorrect views of mental illnesses and also tells social media to discontinue the
sharing of these views. This is a good way to prevent social stigma but it doesnt provide
positive views of mental health, it only extinguishes the bad. (Corrigan, Patrick W., and
Amy C. Watson.)
b. Subpoint 2- We need to raise awareness of mental health
stigmas through education.
1. Fact/Comparison By providing classes in all schools about mental health issues
we can eliminate the negative stigmas while providing facts about mental illnesses. Its
important to not believe the bad but its also important to know about mental illnesses
in general. When people are more informed, those with mental health issues will feel
safe to seek help for their problems. (Satel, Sally L., M.D.)
c. Transition: Sign post- We know the skills needed to swim
our best; all we need to do now is practice.
III.
Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis Society needs to change its view on mental illnesses.
B. Review of Points My three main points are what mental illnesses are, why its
important to change the stigmas against mental illnesses, and the solution to making
this change.
C. Closing Statement Quote/Dramatic Statement Elyn Saks is a professor with
schizophrenia who has experienced the many stigmas of mental illnesses and the
questionable practices of hospitals trying to cure these illnesses. She once said, The
humanity we all share is more important than the mental illness we may not.

Works Cited
"Anxiety." Anxiety. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, n.d. Web. 16
Sept. 2014.
Bloch, Douglas. "Overcoming the Stigma of Depression - Mad In America." Mad In
America. Mad In America, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Bowers, Elizabeth S. "Countering the Social Stigma of Depression - Depression Center
Everyday Health." EverydayHealth.com. Everday Health, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson. "Understanding the Impact of Stigma on
People with Mental Illness." World Psychiatry. N.p., Feb. 2002. Web. 16 Sept.
2014.
Davey, Graham C. "Mental Health & Stigma." Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness
+ Find a Therapist. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Depression - TeenMentalHealth.org." TeenMentalHealthorg RSS. Teen Mental Health,
n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Depression." Depression. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, n.d.
Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
First Person Experience: Caet. Teen Mental Health, 2013. YouTube. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
<http://youtu.be/kRN_eDsqNsI>.
"Generalized Anxiety Disorder - TeenMentalHealth.org." TeenMentalHealthorg RSS.
Teen Mental Health, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Klevorick, Caitlin. "Our Unhealthy View of Mental Health (and Mental Illness)." The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 02 Mar. 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Mental Disorders." Teen Mental Health. Teen Mental Health, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Saks, Elyn. "A Tale of Mental Illness - from the Inside." TED Talks Global Conference.
June 2012. TED Talks. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
Satel, Sally L., M.D. "To Fight Stigmas, Start With Treatment." The New York Times 20
Apr. 2009: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/health/21mind.html?module=Search&m
abReward=relbias%3Ar%2C{%222%22%3A%22RI%3A14%22}&_r=0>.
"Stigma and Discrimination." Stigma and Discrimination. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
"Understanding Stigma - TeenMentalHealth.org." TeenMentalHealthorg RSS. Teen
Mental Health, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.