🚩🚩World Mental Health Day: Let’s give it the right name.

#mentalhealth

“Mental health” has gained media attention in the past year, amplified by the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic and events at the biggest stage of Athletics – Olympics.

The assumption is that we are all referring to the same thing when we invoke the term.

And this “multi-use” itself may cause more harm to some.

Taking a “Mental health Day” does not mean we have a Mental health disorder: We are trying to prevent one by decompressing.

Bowing out on a significant commitment ,whether it’s a job, a function, or others would be from a Medical condition. A specific Mental Health Condition.

Unfortunately, partly due to stigma, one is likely to hear ” sitting out for fractured ankle” ( a specific medical condition) than “sitting out for an Episode of Depression or Anxiety” ( Medical conditions)

So people opt for the vague ” Mental health” as though they are sitting out for protection vs. healing.

No wonder some don’t get sympathy.

Let’s get stigma off the table and describe mental illnesses like other “physical” ailments.

When I give an excuse duty form to my patient, I have to make it clear that it is for a specific medical condition.

Let’s mind our terminology.

The correct name goes a long way!