Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Objective Mental Health Perspective

Do you approach the topic of "Mental Health" objectively?

Do you approach those with mental illness conditions in an objective way?

Because of the stereotypes ingrained in society, it is often hard to think of the topic of 'mental health' without bringing up the idea of 'illness,' however the term MENTAL HEALTH is supposed to mean - MENTAL WELLNESS. The term 'mental illness' already exists for the condition of 'mental illness,' so it is strange, but far too common that the opposite, "Mental Health," is so often merged with the idea of 'illness.'

Because of the same stereotypes ingrained in socitey, it is also often hard to think of people with known mental illness conditions as PEOPLE (first) WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS (secondary).

For the latter, we often fall into 'mind-less' (not 'mindful') and easy connotations and descriptions of 'that mentally ill person' or 'that borderline person' or 'that schizophrenic person.'

How objectively do you use terms when thinking about and speaking about "mental health," "people with mental illness conditions," and "mental wellness" ?

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