Fighting Stigma

There is no evidence that gun violence and mental illness are strongly linked. My experience working with adults with mental illness over the past twenty years is that these individuals are more often the target of abuse and violence than the perpetrators. This trend to use stigmatizing language about individuals with mental illness while we are having a national debate on guns in our society has me concerned that this will deter individuals from seeking care or from talking to others about their mental health condition. Mental illness doesn't define a person and the more we can move away from labels, stereo types and hurtful language the better for opening up a space for respectful conversations about a complex topic.

A helpful way to discuss this topic is a three-step approach that was developed by experts Deral Wing Sue, Patrica Arredondo and Roderick McDavis. This work guides mental health professionals in their work with people of different cultures. This approach can be broadly used and requires awareness, knowledge and skills.

First, you must be aware of your own stereotypes, beliefs and biases about people who have a mental health condition. I had no idea that I had internalized stigma about psychiatry care until waiting with one of my kids to see a child psychiatrist and wondered what I would say if I saw someone I knew. I didn't realize that the countless times I had taken clients to a psychiatrist, this thought had never crossed my mind and yet now, when I was with family, I recognized internal stigma that I didn't know existed. Seeking treatment triggered these internal thoughts and biases and I hadn't anticipated. Apparently working in mental health field didn't free me of stigma when it comes to my own care or care for my family.

Second, it's important to know that words and labels used to describe people can hurt. I have often used the word "crazy" to describe a situation or action that I found interesting or strange. While I thought the use of this term as harmless since it didn't refer to an individual, I hadn't fully realized the power of language and the importance of examining why this seemed like the right adjective when other appropriate ones existed.

I understand that my learning, developing and growing as a person is never done and yet it is easy to get complacent. The third area is skill, it's important to develop new skills to communicate with respect based on your awareness and knowledge. The world continues to change around us and keeping up with changing norms and language requires the desire to learn new things and often acquire new skills.

I invite you to join me in fighting stigma and to continue to think about how the words we choose affects others. There are many people who are suffering right now in this world because of stigma, lack of access to care and not understanding that treatment can make their life manageable and hopeful. Join me in pledging to talk about mental health and addressing hurtful language and labels whenever possible.