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Changing the dialogue on mental health

La Prensa (San Antonio, TX)
Nov 25, 2015

By Clarity Child Guidance Center

Most of us form our impressions about mental illness from television, movies, and the news. If you look at how mental illness is portrayed in the media, it can be difficult to find an accurate representation that reflects what research finds to be the truth about mental illness: That most people with mental illness are not violent. That people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of crime than to commit crimes themselves. That treatment can - and usually does - work. In fact, nine out of 10 children with mental illness show improvement from treatment, according to clinical results and reports from parents.

Just as inaccurate yet pervasive images can shape our thinking, the words we choose also have power. They're a direct reflection of our thoughts and attitudes, and can either improve or worsen the stigma of mental illness.

Language is dynamic and evolving. In many ways, our language has evolved to become more respectful of people's differences. We use words that may describe one aspect of someone's life without limiting them to that narrow definition. For example, we no longer call people with physical disabilities "handicapped" or "disabled."

The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin offers examples of outdated language and the preferred wording that better shows respect to those facing mental health conditions. For example, instead of describing a person as being mentally ill, we can choose to communicate information in a more respectful way, "She has a mental health condition." This is "people first" language that shows respect by keeping the focus on the person, not the illness.

Instead of saying "That drives me crazy," say "That bothers or annoys me." Rather than saying "It was a crazy time," try substituting the word with busy, chaotic, or wild. Don't describe a situation as "nuts," but choose words like interesting, silly or funny instead.

Why is all of this important? Because when we choose words that are disrespectful, we are perpetuating the misconceptions associated with mental illness and keeping people from seeking treatment. A person with cancer would not hesitate to get treatment because people would think bad things about them; why should the same standard apply to pursuing medical care for mental health?

The good news is that as attitudes are changing, more people are getting the help they need. With a conscious shift in our thinking now, we can move mental health into the open and meet the challenge of getting more care to people in need.

Clarity Child Guidance Center is on the forefront of that change here in San Antonio. This nonprofit mental health care provider is adding $22 million in improvements and 20 additional acute care beds to serve children ages 3 to 17 at its campus within the South Texas Medical Center. Clarity CGC also recently added a clinic on the city's fast-growing Northwest side. These developments translate into more services for San Antonio's children, more jobs and a better ability to meet our community's mental health needs.

But it all starts by removing the barriers to getting treatment. Our words and actions can help erase stigma and bring the conversation out in the open.

When we do, we empower people to openly seek treatment and get the support they need in their fight for mental health. In fact, that's the mission of One in Five Minds, a grassroots campaign sponsored by Clarity CGC that was created not only to raise awareness about mental illness, but to help break down stigma.

The website www.lin5minds. org offers a variety of easy ways to help: Follow One in Five Minds on social media. Learn the warning signs of mental illness. Sign up for the One in Five Minds email newsletter and take the pledge to show your support. Share a story about mental illness that has touched you, either online or by talking to someone.

We all play a role in keeping the dialogue about mental health evolving.

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