Can a Cartoon Change How We Think About Mental Illness?

Lindsay Holmes recently brought attention to a cartoon by artist, Robot Hugs, in her piece titled, “What if People Treated Physical Illness Like Mental Illness?,” which was published in the Stronger Together section of the Huffington Post. Titled “Helpful Advice,” the cartoon depicts, in 6 vignettes, what it would be like if we treated physical illness the same way we treat mental illness. My personal favorite being a guy hugging the toilet bowl while another looms over his shoulder saying ” Have you tried…you know… not having the flu?” Holmes says, “many people still don’t get that being diagnosed with a mental illness isn’t something that’s in their control — just like having the flu, or food poisoning, or cancer isn’t in their control.”

See the full article and cartoon here. If you have other cartoons or know other artist whose work focuses on similar topics, please share in the comments section.

*Robot Hugs is a web comic focusing on diverse topics such as mental health, sexuality, and identity.