Overcoming Stigma: A Mental Health Journey

With nearly half of all Americans suffering from severe mental disorders not seeking help, it is evident that mental disorders often come with a stigma. In It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, narrator Craig Gilner suffers from an unfortunate disease that dictates his life. He struggles with many symptoms alongside this and faces depression with suicidal ideation. However, Craig makes a brave decision to check himself into the psych ward of the hospital nearby instead of killing himself. It is his temporary home with limited visitation from his friends and family. Craig’s initial alienation turns into an experience that ultimately saves his life by helping him learn how to live on his own terms and resolves his problems differently; He

transfers schools and lives with a more optimistic approach.Throughout the time he was in the psych ward, Craig learns very valuable lessons through the other patients and as well as having time to think, away from the pressure from his everyday life.
Craig began to understand his true self and his love for the arts during his time spent there. He had quite a bit of pressure on his shoulders from school and had to be academically driven. While much of his time was spent doing homework or projects for his classes, he learned he enjoyed music and art when that workload was absent. While he was a bit off put at first in the ward, recreational activities such as arts and crafts or music classes for the patients helped him rediscover an old hobby from his childhood. A key element of the novel is Craig’s map illustrations. In the illustrations, his passion comes through and has a calming effect on him. Craig talks about the happiness that drawing elaborate maps would bring him and describes them as his “anchor.” Craig has quite a few anchors, which are “things that clear his mind and temporarily make him happy,” but the encouragement he receives from patients and visitors sparks his creativity and drive even more as he begins to do portraits (Vizzini 15, 27). This praise and motivation builds him up mentally and gives him something to feel good about. He later on decides that this is something he would like the further pursue in the realm of the art industry. This (semi)new passion gives him a sense of direction for his future along with hope and something to be eager about compared to his previous “feelings of hopelessness and failure” (Vizzini 101)
Craig’s position enables him to meet people of all different sorts who are enlightening to Craig in various manners. While Craig’s roommate, Muqtada, does not interact very much with most anyone due to his reclusive depression, Craig is still able to learn from him.
He plays Egyptian music over the loud speaker to draw Muqtada out his room as a final good bye and muqtatada reflects craig moving up and out onto his future life as well

Yet some teachers take a more literal approach.

A character he learns a major lesson from is Bobby, the first patient he meets. Bobby is like his father figure within the ward to Craig, he tells him about the life he lived and the mistakes he’s made. Despite negative aspects to his life, Characters like Bobby would “do so much” just to be Craig for a day and have what he has. Bobby’s real life encounters compared to Craig’s help him realize his luck and makes him become more appreciative of what he has (Vizzini 257). Craig saw only the negative in much of his life. With the help of Bobby in particular, he is able to see past that and realize that he has a lot of redeeming qualities and potential. A story of hope and high expectations is to follow for both characters, showing a happy ending is a matter of the actions and will of a character.
Yet his self realization is not the only factor in his happy ending. At the psych ward, Craig meets Noelle. As two damaged people, the bond over the span of Craig’s short-lived stay and help brighten the experience. Even the simplest thing such as sitting next to her evokes the sensation that he is “the happiest of them all” (Vizzini 433). The love Craig finds is the final piece needed to change his life. With a new interest in art, a developed sense of appreciation, and a love interest helps Craig put his life back

together.
A psych ward is isolated from the outside world. However, sometimes isolation is more than necessary. Craig Gilner is an example of the importance of taking a step back and figuring things out beyond the bounds of everyday life. The enriching lessons learned during his experience shaped him as a person and saved his life - both literally and from failing. In the novel, he aspect of mild isolation as a form of relief and management shows the difference it can make. What Craig needed most was a break and reality check, and the isolation from his stressful environment delivered so.