text: if this is awareness month then a big discussion about the gaping lack of help for the mentally ill or those with other hidden disabilities needs work, desperately. it's much easier dealing with a physical handicap.. help with a prosthesis, wheelchair, cane, etc.  but that one person who is kind of a pain to be around, that is different or weird  - that alienates people due to whatever..how do you help them? how do you prevent john and jane doe from disrespecting the disabled person with intentional slights, snide remarks.etc?  my sister has a personality disorder and anxiety. being in public -  very agitated, it's very stressful for her - we  try to get her to engage with  people -. i've watched her work up her nerve to try to converse with someone out and about and the reactions she gets are amazing - they would never literally turn their back on , or ignore a blind person who stumbles. 
   the fix must be education...it's won't be easy. not cut and dried and that's the real problem.