At some point in time, you've probably heard someone state something along the lines of "No blueberry muffins? I'm going to kill myself!" While these off-hand comments are often intended with humor and a lack of intent, a mental health advocate reminds us of how certain jokes about mental illness can be quite damaging and disrespectful to those with lived experiences, and only works to perpetuate the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Take a few moments to read this powerfully written article, and consider being more mindful of the impact of your words before cracking that next joke ...
"Mental health conditions aren't words you can just throw around to describe people. Your ex isn't so bipolar because your relationship was up and down. You're friend acting spacey isn't super ADD. Your brother isn't so OCD because he's a fastidious pereson and likes to match his sneakers to his outfit. The politician who's ideas you don't like isn't psychotic. Many people who have mental health conditions are people you would never suspect have them. Your friend who appears to be calm could have anxiety. Your neighbor who is a successful doctor could have bipolar disorder. There are so many people who are thriving with mental health conditions because they have received treatment and worked their butts off to get to where they are. They are not freaks, clowns, or monsters. They are valuable, wonderful human beings who have so much intellect, talent and creativity to contribute to the world. Stop calling people acting in negative ways mentally ill. It's incredibly offensive to people with mental health conditions."
For the full article, click here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-griffin/4-jokes-about-mental-illness-you-need-to-stop-making_b_8932500.html
"Mental health conditions aren't words you can just throw around to describe people. Your ex isn't so bipolar because your relationship was up and down. You're friend acting spacey isn't super ADD. Your brother isn't so OCD because he's a fastidious pereson and likes to match his sneakers to his outfit. The politician who's ideas you don't like isn't psychotic. Many people who have mental health conditions are people you would never suspect have them. Your friend who appears to be calm could have anxiety. Your neighbor who is a successful doctor could have bipolar disorder. There are so many people who are thriving with mental health conditions because they have received treatment and worked their butts off to get to where they are. They are not freaks, clowns, or monsters. They are valuable, wonderful human beings who have so much intellect, talent and creativity to contribute to the world. Stop calling people acting in negative ways mentally ill. It's incredibly offensive to people with mental health conditions."
For the full article, click here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-griffin/4-jokes-about-mental-illness-you-need-to-stop-making_b_8932500.html
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