Schizophrenia -- A Family's Experience

The public may believe these large unoccupied state hospital facilities demonstrate that the problems of people with mental disorders have been cured or managed. Certainly, the patients have greatly benefited from the improvements and enjoy a higher quality of life because they are blending back into society.

In some cases, the medication alone is not enough to sustain people with moderate-to-severe mental disorders. They need the support of psychiatric rehabilitation that helps them live as independently as possible in the community through job coaching, medication supervision and housing.

People with mental disorders need to be respected and embraced. These disorders could affect any one of us and they don't discriminate based on race or socio-economic status.

How would you want to be treated if you or your loved ones developed a mental disorder?

Let's erase the stigma of ignorance, tear down walls of shame and build bridges of compassion.

Jane Hennessy is the author of the memoir "Rebecca's Rose."