How careless language can prevent better understanding (Originally featured in the Central Somerset Gazette 28/4/16)

How careless language can prevent better understanding

(Originally featured in the Central Somerset Gazette 28/4/16)

Students with mental Health pledges

 Mental Health issues should be viewed with more understanding, says a mental health campaigner

My Name is Marc and I am writing this article today to tell you about how it affects not only me, but others in our community.

I have been affected by depression since childhood and found that one of my biggest battles hasn’t been the depression itself but society’s misconception of it. There is still an idea that Mental Health issues only affect ‘other people’ but actually it affects 1 in 4 of us . This ranges from symptoms that people are familiar with, such as depression to more complex diagnosis. Because there is such a huge number of us you either probably either know somebody with a mental health issue or have one yourself.

A few weeks ago in a piece written for this publication a lady used the word ‘Nutter’ .One can understand that she didn’t mean any intentional harm by using the word the choice of language sets people apart from the wider community and creates a ‘Them and Us’ which is counter-productive when organisations like Time To Change Somerset are working hard supporting the mental health community and helping us all to understand the illness and break down barriers.

For the last couple of years I’ve been lucky enough to be given a platform by Time To Change to not only speak out about my own issues and the challenges I’ve faced, but to also encourage others to speak about theirs. Our Somerset Public Health Funded project has 10 volunteers who all have various mental health issues. Our task is to attend local events, speak to employers and others on how they can better understand and speak more openly about mental health.

Another aspect of our work is to let people know what services are available to people with mental health issues. For example, in Glastonbury, there is the Wellbeing Group each Friday which focuses on life skills, assertiveness and employment opportunities.

There is also a helpline service, Mindline, for anybody needing to talk and be listened to 01823 276 892.


But it doesn’t stop there. Minds in Somerset offer much more throughout the county. For anybody seeking support we encourage you to go to http://www.somersetmind.org.uk/

A link to a picture file of the original article can be found here: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/68/0c/5f/680c5fc53827506e4951a3cbd4d6d806.jpg