Words matter when fighting the stigma of mental illness [DallasNews.com]

In my view, moving from "battling demons" to "it's a chronic brain disease" does not represent progress (nor is it evidence-based).  This site speaks to the extreme distress that is caused by ACE's(what happened to you), not the urban myths of genetically predisposed chemical imbalances (what's wrong).  Distress vs. disorder includes context, social determinants, historical trauma & inequities.  In addition, several studies indicate that the message; " it's a disease just like diabetes" - increases stigma.  Hearing people's stories of struggles that all of us unfortunately experience - increases our compassion & empathy.

Thank you Samantha for posting this imperative article. Words hurt ~ and words heal. Many loved ones over the years and a plethora of individuals I've mentored over the years, including the present, have mental illness. Knowing our present day science and research can help them on their healing journey, the profound relief they feel when they understand how their brain works truly lifts them up into hope and healing as they release their burdens of shame and blame.

My heart aches for the hurting souls in our world. Every day, all of us encounter those who are suffering ~ in the grocery story check out line ~ the post office ~ our workplace ~ our neighborhoods ~ ourselves and those we love. What an uplifting time for all of us on the front line of impacting systems change, including our own belief systems, with our own healing journey as we support others around us with their healing journeys.

Having the blessing and honor of mentoring many families in San Diego who've had their children tragically taken from gang related homicides, what they've taught me about healing brings me to my knees. Having the blessing and honor of mentoring many inner city children and youth in City Heights for 19 years, what they've taught me about courage and moxie as they heal from their chronic and complex traumas fills my Being with hope.

We need all of us to choose compassion and love in our words and actions with ourselves and others. We need all of us to choose empathy as our foundation of our choices throughout our day. We need all of us to embrace our own, and each other's, healing journey with humble dignity. If I were to choose one word which captures this essence - it's "grace".

Samantha:

Thanks for the link. I just wrote a piece and described battling demons (nightmare hangovers) and edited it after reading this to say battling symptoms. I keep learning and balancing what feels most true, as a writer, and expressing that while also being careful not to perpetuate stereotypes. It's ongoing. It's good to hear what others are thinking, saying and doing. Cissy

Corinna West posted:

Flawed article, start right here: "When it comes to the language of brain disorders..."

The #1 most cited article in stigma reduction, says that linking mental health stuff to biogenetic causation INCREASES stigma. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.or...pi.ajp.2010.09121743

 

Thanks for the link Corinna. I keep fine tuning my own thoughts, feelings and understanding and appreciate what you share and how much you know. That piece was written in 2010. Do you think the results, today, might be different? I wonder.

I know, for me, talking about the brain at all, before and without understanding the neuroplasticity of the brain would not have felt hopeful or empowering. But for me, knowing the brain is plastic, is the big game changer. In my understanding and in my own compassion for myself and healing approaches. I do think it's also important to talk about causes of ACEs and make social and community and family and personal changes so there's less to ever have to contend with in the first place. Talking how to prevent and counter effects, without talking about the causes of those effects,  in my opinion, skews the conversation. That's why I like the language of all of us, without exception having an ACE score.  It's neutralizing, and for me, that's gone a long way to helping me fight the stigma I've felt from others and my own self.  

Cissy

Thank you for shining a bright spot light on mental illness.  "It is not a moral failing, or evidence of a character flaw, but a chronic disease of the brain that deserves our compassion and care,"

Flawed article, start right here: "When it comes to the language of brain disorders..."

The #1 most cited article in stigma reduction, says that linking mental health stuff to biogenetic causation INCREASES stigma. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.or...pi.ajp.2010.09121743