Many people are scared to talk about mental health. When we avoid talking about it, we’re basically pretending it doesn’t exist, it is something to be ashamed of and that reinforces the stigma.
Language is powerful- context, intention and knowing your audience count for a lot in everyday chats. We hope to start a conversation and raise awareness about the impact of the language we use and the self-stigma that can stop people living life.
We have been discussing Mental Health Stigma in the studio and here are some of the things we would like to smash…
Man up
Don’t cry
It’s all in your head
Don’t think like that
Pull yourself together
I’m an adult, I should be able to sort my problems out
I’m intelligent enough, how come I can’t get myself better by now?
Everyone gets a bit depressed but they still work!
Your car’s a bit of a mess- if you sort that out you’ll feel more organised
If you don’t sort it out you’ll be an old woman with a lot of cats
You’ve just fallen off the horse, just get back on
Worthless
Lazy
Can’t cope/ Won’t cope
Fear
Dangerous
Violent
Attention seeking
Strange
Weird
Not capable
No good
Stupid
Nutter
Psycho
Mental
I lost my job
Weak
I have failed
Awkward
Embarrassing
I am worried about what people think of me
Unreliable
Shame
Guilt
You have nothing to be depressed about
I’m too small
Too fat/ too thin
Throw like a girl
You’re too noisy
Don’t cry
Bullying
You’re a baby
And we want you to join in. You can use anything from this list or come up with your own.
Help us create more noise about mental health stigma by writing it, smashing it and sharing it.
Lego, crockery, paper walls, balloons, fruit and veg… you can be as creative as you like, just remember to share your efforts on social media with the hashtag #SmashingStigma and tagging @DesignsInMind in your post. But whatever you smash, take care, not hurt yourself or others in the process.
Smash It Share It Donate
https://smashingstigma.hubbub.net/