E65: Labels Belong On Cans, Not People.

The word "mental" is often thrown around, and it does make sense considering how the term is often associated with academic fields like psychology and psychiatry. However, the mere use of the term somehow ignites this stigma, which has been used by society for many years to signify crazy, deranged, or out of mind.

Mental health, mental fitness, mental issues – these are words that are still creating some stigma. And so, people who are going through something feel like they don’t have a safe space to be who they are, afraid that they would be judged.

As a society, we have to be more conscious and aware of how we’re using the term “mental” to de-stigmatize what someone is going through emotionally. This then shifts how we look at things from a mental perspective into focusing more on a person’s emotional health and wellness.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

• Using mental illness as a label on someone or something
• Using emotional health or fitness instead

Episode Highlights:

As a society, we loosely use the term “mental” to label people, things, and even soft skills and hard skills. But someone hearing it who’s going through something may probably be feeling shame or embarrassment that they want to run away because they don’t want to be labeled as such.

Now, what if we could all be more aware and more intentional with not using the term at all and instead, use the word “emotional” when referring to health or fitness?

Not only does it take help to take the sting away, it also makes people who are going through these emotional challenges feel like they’re seen, heard, and understood. And knowing they have that safe space to be who they are is a good start.

Quote:

“When we use the term mental illness as a label… there is a person who is cringing and hiding their head in shame and embarrassment.”

“Words like mental health and mental illness ignite this stigma… why not use the word emotional health?”