Get Well - Mental Illness

[eve1974]

Is it appropriate to send a get we’ll catch for mental illnesses

Someone we know is in hospital - schizoaffective disorder . Admitted a week ago.

We plan to send a card saying we miss him and hope things are inproving.

Sending via his
Mum so she can gauge if it’s appropriate as to his mood on the day etc.

[Ken4155]

I would send him a blank card rather than one with 'Get Well Soon' on it. You could write inside that you miss him and hope to see him soon.

[calmck]

Agree. Not a get well card maybe Thinking of you or a numerous one

[roopower]

Agree, thinking of you/missing you more appropriate, I think.

[Ringlet]

Why is it thought to be "more appropriate" to deny the existence of a mental illness? Your friend would not be in hospital if he were not ill. Therefore, it is appropriate to wish that he gets well.
I think refusing to acknowledge the nature or even existence of his illness is feeding into the stigma surrounding mental illness.
If he had cancer/brain tumour/appendicitis or any other physical illness you would wish him to get well.
Why would you not wish him to get well from a mental illness?

[Peter Pedant]

yes it is appropriate - some one is ill ( er against his will) and can get better

the fact you cant see the illness doesnt mean that it isnt ....

[maggiebee]

Your card so your choice. Personally would send a blank "Thinking of you" card and put something like "Know you're going through a rough time at the moment. Thinking of you and hope to see you soon."

[andy-hughes]

I would err on the side of a blank card.

A lot of psychological conditions are ones that you don't 'get well' from - rather you learn to manage them and they stay with you for life - I have one myself.

[Ken4155]

Same here, Andy. Depression and anxiety for over 30 years. You do 'get better' by learning how to cope with this ailment, but i don't think i'll ever be rid of it.

[pixie374]

Me too. I would definitely go with "thinking of you" or even, I hope you feel better soon. "Getting better"... not really.

[eve1974]

Ty all. Yeah the card I had had already got was a "blank" one anyway.

I popped some general light hearted newsey stuff in it and included saying that we're thinking of him and look forward to seeing him in the future.

[pixie374]

Perfect x