The Mental Health Stigma. - Sticks and Stones WILL Break Bones

THERE is an old adage from the 1800s which states that “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me”.

For those suffering from mental ill-health, this saying could not be further from their reality. 

Words used by many in our community to describe mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder prove hurtful and wound those with mental health challenges.

These words often unintentionally reinforce the mental health stigma and lead to those with mental health challenges being ashamed and embarrassed and feeling misunderstood and marginalised. 

How often, for example, do we hear words and phrases such as “off the planet”, “out of it”, “bonkers”, “deficient”, “nutter” or “schizo” used to describe someone with mental ill-health?

And what about referring to “happy pills” rather than anti-depressants and visiting the “shrink” rather than seeking assistance from a psychologist? 

From restaurants to bars, schoolyards to university classrooms, the workplace to the sporting club it is highly likely you will hear people with mental ill-health being cast in a negative light. 

Those everyday words heard in everyday places have become a major obstacle to compassion and understanding.

And ultimately they prove a major obstacle to the recovery of many with mental health challenges, who are invariably hesitant to disclose their mental ill-health for fear of being labelled and pigeon-holed.

The mental health stigma — fuelled and inflamed by our language — limits employment opportunities, makes various forms of insurance harder to obtain, and causes those with mental health challenges to become socially isolated. 

In fact, many with mental ill-health rate the stress associated with the stigma of mental ill-health as more distressing than the symptoms of their illness.

Mental ill-health is not shameful. But the stigma is – and it’s driven by fear and a lack of knowledge.

Much needs to be done in our workplaces and within the broader community to break down the misunderstandings and negative connotations so often associated with mental ill-health. 

The mental health stigma — fuelled and inflamed by our language — limits employment opportunities, makes various forms of insurance harder to obtain, and causes those with mental health challenges to become socially isolated.

But arguably the most important way to reduce the stigma towards mental ill-health in our community is to change the way we talk about it.

It is this type of change that will build a culture of acceptance, trust and support within our homes, in the workplace, in sporting clubs, in bars and restaurants and within the broader community.

Out of respect for those with mental health challenges and to help them deal with their challenges, we need to remember that in today’s world the adage should be “sticks and stones will break my bones and words will always hurt me”.

Given that experts estimate half of all Australians will experience mental ill-health at some stage in their lives, breaking down the mental health stigma is everyone’s business.