language hurts ken cc

LANGUAGE HURTS: 

LANGUAGE HURTS Fighting Stigma – One Word at a Time PREPARED BY THE CAN-HELP PROGRAM

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION – FORT FRANCES BRANCH: 

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION – FORT FRANCES BRANCH MISSION STATEMENT: The CMHA, Fort Frances Branch will enhance, maintain and promote the mental health of individuals, families and communities in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts. We will provide programs and services for persons challenged by mental illnesses. We will empower individuals to reach their full potential through consumer involvement, public education, social action and advocacy.

PROGRAMS: 

PROGRAMS Step Centre: offers physical, education, social/recreational and life skill opportunities to consumers to help them attain or return to their optimal level of physical and mental health. District Mental Health Services for Older Adults: coordinates and oversees the planning, development and implementation of community based psychogeriatric services in the Kenora Rainy River District for adults 60 years of age and over. Can-Help: is a consumer and family advocacy network that acts as a resource to existing regional peer support groups and communities in the Kenora Rainy River District.

Some Mental Health Facts:: 

Some Mental Health Facts: 1 in every 5 Canadians will have a mental illness in their lifetime 4 out of 5 Canadians have relatives or significant others with a mental illness Close to 50% of those with severe or moderate mental illnesses will never seek treatment 90% of those with a mild mental illness will never seek treatment 90% of those who suicide have a treatable mental illness

Would you use these terms?: 

Would you use these terms?

Would you use these terms?: 

Would you use these terms? KIKE to refer to a Jewish person NIGGER to refer to a person of color RETARD to refer to a person with a developmental disability QUEER to refer to a person with a different sexual orientation CRIPPLE to refer to a person with a physical disability

OF COURSE NOT!: 

OF COURSE NOT! These terms are socially unacceptable today They did not used to be, they used to be a part of everyday language People started to talk about it They talked about how it affected them It finally became unacceptable

YOU ARE A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER: 

YOU ARE A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER You direct or work in a recovery based mental health service You believe people with mental illnesses can and do recover You believe the client comes first You treat people with dignity and respect You have family, friends and colleagues with mental illness

So why do you make me cringe?: 

So why do you make me cringe? CRAZY NUTS INSANE PSYCHO

So why do you make me cringe?: 

So why do you make me cringe? You use words like crazy, nuts, insane, psycho in everyday situations You watch TV, listen to the radio and hear these words every day You think this is just part of the culture You think your family members are comfortable with words like this You think your friends are comfortable with these words You say these words in front of clients, about clients, but never directly to a client

Slide11: 

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT IS THERE?

YOU BET THERE IS!: 

YOU BET THERE IS!

Slide13: 

You have no idea how many people you hurt in a day

Spreading Stigma: 

Spreading Stigma You are held to a higher standard

Slide15: 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Img/53814/0008797.jpg This is how you make me feel.

THE CONSEQUENCES: 

THE CONSEQUENCES People like you, language like that is what keeps people like me from getting treatment Language like that makes people like me feel like less of a human being Words like that make people like me stay isolated Words like that is part of why people like me seriously consider, attempt or commit suicide

THE CONSEQUENCES…: 

THE CONSEQUENCES… Language like that means I can’t talk to you about having mental health issues Language like that means I can’t talk about the mental health issues my family members face Words like that often makes me reluctant to talk to my family members about my mental health issues

SOME SOLUTIONS: 

SOME SOLUTIONS STOP using these words SAY what you really mean Be AWARE of what you say LISTEN to what you hear Help others RECOGNIZE the problem Be part of the SOLUTION

SOME ALTERNATIVES: 

SOME ALTERNATIVES Instead of: “I’m having a crazy day” use Instead of crazy, say bad, hectic, wild, busy “You’re driving me nuts” use Instead of nuts, say “The things they are doing make me angry, frustrated, irritated, I’m losing my patience” “That’s insane” use Instead of insane, say ridiculous, outrageous, ludicrous, incredible

Slide20: 

Posters, mugs, screen savers with these messages also contribute to the stigma people feel

Take the Challenge: 

Take the Challenge Keep these words from being spoken in your home or office Set up a “swear jar” Talk about language wherever you are MAKE IT SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE Donate to programs that help erase stigma

So Remember…: 

So Remember… Only you can Fight Stigma - One Word at a Time PREPARED BY THE CAN-HELP PROGRAM Contact for information: Susan Marshall, smarshall@cmhaff.ca Maria Coleman, mcoleman@cmhaff.ca Phone: 807 467-8280 Toll free: 1 866 872 0408