Stigmatization of mental health issues is a constant issue, and the language we use to describe mental illness can have a big impact on how we view it.
Terms that degrade and stigmatize mental illness create discrimination, fear and shame around the topic. They perpetuate the idea that mental illness is some rare and polarizing thing, when in reality it affects millions of Americans every year. This could lead to mentally ill people struggling with self-acceptance and being unwilling to seek treatment.
Here are a few of the words that we should steer clear of when discussing mental illness.
Some of the most stigmatizing language is the kind that people use everyday. It’s important to be aware of the weight our words carry and to pay attention to how we label people with mental health issues.
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