Wondering what else you can do to help?
Choose your words wisely:
Learn about the impact your words can have on those with mental illnesses.
When we say someone is “crazy” or “that’s totally mental” we’re perpetuating stereotypes.
Eliminate the phrase “suffers from mental illness”. Instead, choose, “lives with mental illness” or “is affected by mental illness”.
By saying something like “they’re schizophrenic,” we’re describing someone’s entire identity instead of talking about them as a person living and managing a disease. Instead, try saying “they’re living with schizophrenia.”
Here are some examples of words to eliminate from your vocabulary; “crazy,” “nuts”, “psycho”, “schiz”, “retard” and “lunatic”.
While there may be times when it is too challenging or simply not possible to politely correct someone else’s insensitive use of language, you can always watch your own.