Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are a couple of ways that you can be more mindful of individuals with mental health conditions by changing the way you talk about mental health. 

• How can donors help spread awareness about mental health conditions and help others build an understanding of these issues?

• Learn about mental health as a global health challenge. 

In recognition of Mental Health Month, On the Pulse will be sharing valuable resources and inspiring patient stories each week to guide individuals and families struggling with mental health issues and help destigmatize the topic of mental health in our society.

Talking about mental health can be a challenge for anyone. Though terms like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and bipolar disorder have made their way into our vocabularies, they’re often used as adjectives to describe behavior, like, “I keep changing my mind about what to wear, I’m so bipolar,” reflecting a lack of understanding of the complexities and challenges facing those living with the condition.

While we all may experience occasional anxiety or changes in mood, the core feature of many mental health conditions is the disruption they cause and the negative impact they have on a person’s life. Psychologist Dr. Sam McGinnis of Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine clinic has heard the anger and frustration from patients whose peers casually joke about self-harming or having OCD.

“When people say those things, it takes away the significance for people who struggle with these diagnoses,” McGinnis said. “They don’t realize how painful it is to have suicidal thoughts often, or struggle with obsessive thoughts or the stress that comes from it. Jokes and comments can be very triggering for people managing a mental health condition.”

Being mindful of language is one simple thing we can do to support those with mental health conditions, and to decrease the associated stigma.

Here are a few things you can do:

  • Use person-first language.
  • Don’t use mental health words as adjectives.
  • Be mindful when talking about suicide.

Read the full article about mental health by Dominique Barni at On the Pulse.