Words Matter to Mental Health

Today is the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month . This is an especially busy time of the year for me as Founder and CEO of the Black Women's Mental Health Institute . But our work extends far beyond May as we create opportunities year-round for mental health to be understood, supported and normalized. This can be accomplished in so many different ways. Through programs, increased access to mental health care and community health education. However, when it comes to stigma, one of the most powerful avenues we all have to dispel fear and shame are the words we use.

Language creates either safe or hostile environments for the 1 in 5 individuals who live with a mental health challenge. The words we use every day can either encourage someone to utilize mental health services or isolate out of fear; the latter of which delays care and often worsen mental health conditions. We can create care or harm just by the words we use. Over the last 2 weeks, I've seen two examples of this in the media; one that normalized mental health and one that stigmatized it.

On May 22nd, ABC News' Matt Gutman participated in a live demonstration of what to do if ever caught in a car submerging in water. As Indiana State Police and an assembled emergency response team stood by, Gutman drove a car into a body of water and gave step by step instructions as he escaped the vehicle and swam to shore. He did this all live on GMA - Good Morning America . It was both scary and informative to watch.

At the completion of the segment, Gutman sent the broadcast back to the studio where his colleagues asked a few questions. That's when Robin Roberts asked a simple yet powerful question. She looked into the camera and asked "Are you doing alright?" Most would have thought the question was related to him standing there soaking wet and catching his breath after his swim but she asked again and said "The reason I'm asking is, we read his book and anxiety is something he's dealt with over the years. So, for you to be able to do this Matt, are you ok?"

At the time of this segment, I was in a hotel room preparing for a day of health equity meetings and conference work in Washington, DC. I was immediately struck by how Roberts used language to create a space of support and safety for her colleague. She showed concern and empathy. Her language was thoughtful, sincere and intentional. During a segment that had nothing to do with mental health, she seamlessly weaved mental health into the discussion with ease. This is the definition of normalization. She probably has no idea how impactful her words were. To see her words play out live during Mental Health Awareness Month was a genuine joy for a mental health advocate such as myself. Go Robin!

Fast forward just a week later, Former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts related hush money payments. This moment swept the media as it marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges. Political pundits across the country scurried to media outlets to provide their commentary and insights on how the conviction may impact upcoming elections. Former President Trump did not waste any time engaging the media with his thoughts of being targeted all while gallantly predicting his vindication. However, as he declared his conviction as evidence of the country's downfall, he made comments that.....well.....just take a look below:

"We don't have the same country anymore -- we have a divided mess. We’re a nation in decline, serious decline, millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists, and they're taking over our country." - Former President Donald Trump

Do you see it? From Prisons and from mental institutions? In his comments, Trump criminalized mental health by associating it with prisons and terrorists. He went as far as to link the presence of individuals living mental health concerns to the downfall of the country. This is textbook language for stigmatizing mental health. His language was accusatory, divisive and dismissive of the millions of Americans who live with mental health challenges every day. Trump used language to incite fear, suspicion. This use of language feeds bias and bias can kill (see: Psychiatry.org - Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness by the American Psychiatric Association).

His language was thoughtless, dangerous, unsupportive, irresponsible and unkind. During a public statement that had nothing to do with mental health, he created an unsafe environment that encourages those in need to isolate and hide in shame. He probably has no idea how harmful his words were. To see them play out during Mental Health Awareness Month was a somber reminder that there is still so much work to do to normalize mental health as well as increase access to culturally responsive and equitable mental health care. Trump, it is time to learn and do better.

The work of mental health advocacy is vast. Our country is experiencing a mental health crisis and we need all hands on deck. As we wrap Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to understand that we all have a part to play in normalizing mental health. There are no small roles. You can change the trajectory of someone's life by choosing the right words to say. These are just two examples of the right and wrong way to speak about mental health. Words matter to mental health. What will your words be?

Want to learn more about mental health but not sure where to begin? Tap into the Black Women's Mental Health Institute to take a Mental Health First Aid or QPR Suicide Prevention Training. For more information, visit www.bwmhi.org.