Rewriting the Stigma of Mental Illness | Paige Freeman | TEDxYouth@SAS

Although sometimes not apparent, mental disorders are more common than we think. As a person struggling with multiple mental disorders, Paige Freeman vividly illustrates the consequences they have on everyday life, the stigmas society places on mental illness, and speaks out about her own experience for the first time.
Paige moved from Brooklyn to Singapore in 2006, where she has attended the Singapore American School for the past nine years. She has not yet uncovered her ultimate goal in life, and is just fine with that. However, she does have some problems she’d like to fix along the way. She enjoys writing, making art, and singing -- in 2013, she sang a solo at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Paige is partial to rainy afternoons and listening to good music.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@bellestarr6484]

This is phenomenal. I, too, have lived with anxiety, OCD and more since I was a little girl. If one person watching this video understands that they are not alone, they are not shameful and they can explore help for themselves, Paige has broken down a cruel wall. Thank you.

[@cellogirl11rw55]

She hit the nail on the head. I have SPD (generalized), Bipolar Disorder, and ADHD. As a result, I have trouble sleeping, especially if there is no background noise, I can't touch or eat certain textures without gagging, I need shirts that are a little snug, but not around the middle, I have to take medicine every few hours and explain to inquiring friends why. I've even had to deal with people telling me I don't need my "toxic" medications. I just keep in mind that they are saying this only because they don't have a clue and explain to them that the reason I'm doing so well is that my meds are working at the neurological/biological level to make my symptoms more manageable while I applied coping skills so that I can live a halfway decent life without feeling like I'm crawling out of my skin or going sky high up on my rollercoaster, then hitting rock bottom so hard that it feels like I'm dying. That's the short version of my story.

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

I had mental illness and was over medicated. It’s big pharma greed. The best decision I ever made was to stop taking them, stop seeing psychiatrists, and see specialists. Treated my ocd without drugs.

[@jamiefitzgrade7960]

I love the way she can't control her head movements or just general movements its endearing.

[@b.j.banditt206]

Jamie; her movements maybe from the adverse effects of her psych meds (believe it or not).

[@raniaatalla8808]

What a courageous, passionate young lady. Thank you so much Paige for sharing your inspirational story. I learned a lot. You are a gem.

[@brandimartin4582]

I sent this video to the "sympathetic" friend hoping they understand that I can't break this circle of mental illness. They've been through rough times and assume that because they went through bad things amd believe depression is just an excuse that weak people use when they go through a rough patch. I'm waiting for him to finish it. Hoping they will understand me better because of this

[@lucaswong173]

First. Jk I LOVE THIS TED TALK. I'm writing this as Paige sits across from me. She's da bomb. And also my abuela. And I was with her before the talk and I'm proud to be her friend. Yay. 💗💗💗

[@hannahharwood4319]

What a brilliant smart and beautiful person Paige is. I really appreciated her words and her bright and smiley face has made my day and brought light into my day despite me feeling dark inside. Thank You Paige

[@zeldagatsby5546]

A co-worker of mine used to torment a customer with schizophrenia by following them around the store. I hid my illness at the time. I watched in horror and in fear faking a smile. I am disgusted with him and myself. People love to toy with people with mental illness. Therer should be a movie like "Boys Don't Cry" for those with metal illness. A lot of us are in the closet with our illnesses. Watching the hate crime one wonders why.

[@ishyreddi13]

Zelda Gatsby what’s sickening is that those types of bullies aren’t the minority. There are even people that are like that who have authority.

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

When I had ocd my coworkers were cruel and bullied me too.

[@stevethomas74]

What an amazing young lady and a brilliant talk. There really are some amazing talks regarding mental health on here and this is one of the best. Paige? If you happen to read this? *MWAHS!* Big hugs, kisses and kudos to you and I wish you nothing but the best :-)

[@thepiersonproject245]

This was amazing! I hope people watch, listen, and understand.

[@zoecarver2103]

Thank you, Thank you and Thank you! Your words and passion came through and I wanted to hear more.

[@WhosoeverBelieveth]

To reach an even greater awareness of mental illness & mental wholeness, I highly recommend reading the writings of Dr. Gabor Maté (or via youtube)

[@Steph_andthebulldogs]

what an amazing young woman!!! congratulations on sharing with so many who need to hear its ok to talk about

[@laxman9695]

hi Paige your story and message is so inspiring and touching.Thank-you so much for sharing your story and giving me hope that I am not alone. I have been suffering from bipolar since I am fifteen , sixteen years old now I am almost 40. But for first five,six years I was misdiagnosed with depression and I suffered a lot that I can't explain how much was the pain. I am ok now with the medicine and feel less worry because of the inspiring videos like yours. But until now besides my family nobody knows about my disorder. Being a sufferers myself sometimes I feel guilty hiding my disorder for so many years when i she the video like yours. I am very thankful to the peoples like you for giving us hope not to give up.I wish you a very happy and healthy future take care.🙏👏

[@contrafax]

I love this one. Thank you.

[@jeff77581]

You inspire me Paige!

[@pandaxxgamming2761]

Preach Paige ! Nice job !

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

OCD should be discussed more often. Everyone wears their depression and anxiety on their sleeve on instagram and TikTok. It’s cool to be depressed. My peers abused me for OCD.

[@colinwilliams3452]

amazing... thankyou

[@abpintocoelho]

Hi Paige! I am trying so hard to ask permission to display this Ted talk at the opening of our first edition of the Mental Festival in Lisbon. May you help us? I was so inspired from this. Want to share with everyone. The thing is I get no answer from TED TALK.

[@nerdycats]

That was amazing 🌸

[@colinjames5407]

This is great.

[@ishyreddi13]

I have major depression, anxiety, ADHD, and unofficially BPD.

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

So you take a lot of medications? Big pharma. Have you seen a therapist yet with a PhD? Psychiatrists nearly ruined me for life. Putting the medications down saved my life. I achieved remission from ocd without drugs.

[@renehenriksen1735]

She really understands how to act that evil, prejudicial teacher/boss/authority-personality that destroys people´s lives with narrowmindedness and total lack of understanding or tolerance, but only want people to be in one specific way all the time....

[@hanglee5586]

Bravo...

[@trevorsouthern2471]

Good talk Paige. I think all the posted comments show that.

[@avelione]

Honestly, I didn't care about that shirt much, I just thought it must be her style.

[@bryanhaynes5421]

Ooops, I didn't get the point, either.

[@aarona.9424]

It's more applicable to her peers. High schoolers tend to expect that everyone fit into tidy little categories. Deviate from those and you will be expected to explain yourself.

[@beans77]

Is There Any Way I Can Contact Paige? I Would Love To Discuss With Her, As We Are Very Similar. Love You Paige! Such An Important Message.

[@Dougiewoof]

I have ADHD and SPD

[@daniloss1319]

As someone who had OCD and depression, I am certain mental illnesses are just God's way of nerfing people whom have a great potential. I HAD them so by what am I being nerfed now? Laziness

[@zeldagatsby5546]

Why are you wearing that yellow star?

[@zeldagatsby5546]

"Discrimination" not "stigma". Please bigotry hurts, call it what it is!

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

Stigma is more accurate. You just trying to band wagon the recent BLM movements and feminism etc. stigma is about shame. A family that punches their kid in the face for ocd doesn’t discriminate, they are shaming them.