Those of you that know me (or even those that don’t!) will know I really do enjoy talking about mental health. It is one of those conversations more people should be having, and should be aware of, as it will affect us all at some point in our lives. Some more than others of course, some have the odd ‘blip’ which is supported and solved with some caring and compassion, and there are those much like myself have a daily battle and barrage of medications and medicines to get us through the day. (Not that they always work mind, but that is another blog post entirely…) Continue reading
Category Archives: Mental Health
Samantha Brick Declares Warfare on Women…again.
It is no secret that I find the work of Samantha Brick rather appalling. What I find more disheartening is the fact that it is perhaps written purely to be controversial, rather than making any real point whatsoever (lazy journalism in my opinion).
Her most recent article (which lets face it, its for the Daily Fail, what were we to expect anyway?) is possibly one of her worst yet. Continue reading
Bonkers? Crazy? Mental? Stop With the Abuse Please…
I’ve pondered at whether to write this post, however I feel that the individual in question, and many, many others with similar views who are rather public with theirs, I have the right to be public with mine.
On Sunday Sinéad O’Connor appeared on the Andrew Marr Show, and during a rather awkward (and antagonistic) interview, she clearly had her defences up – rightly or wrongly – and came across as rude and/or defensive (depending on which camp you sit in) to those that watched and listened. (You can watch the interview on BBC iPlayer, from around 54mins onwards…)
For me, it is not her behaviour that is mostly in question. The resulting media commenting on said interview highlighted appalling discrimination against those with mental health conditions.
Jonathan Vernon-Smith, had particular disdain with O’ Connor, citing her as ‘utterly bonkers’, and refused to see the issue with such wording.
Now, as far as I can tell, her mental health is not in question. If you think she was rude, fine. If you think she was provoked and felt the need to defend herself, also fine. Lets face it – everyone has a right to express ourselves how we see fit in given situations. (within reason of course, i’m not advocating violence!)
So I wonder exactly how her mental health came into the limelight, and what exactly did she do to deserve abuse concerning said mental health with the use of words such as ‘bonkers’, ‘loony’ and ‘crazy’ similar by Jonathan, Jeremy Clarkson, and other high profile people in the media.
I expect the barrage of ensuing comments on social media platforms such as Facebook to perhaps succumb to childish commentary, almost borderline bullying, however an intelligent broadcaster should surely know better.
What I find the most appalling of all, is that despite responding to a tweet without abuse, and highlighting my issue with the reference to her mental health, I was told to “grow up” and subsequently involved in a Facebook discussion which (to those who do not understand Twitter) looks like I was one of those giving him “abuse” – of course neglecting to involve any intellectual debate that I had initiated. I left my response as thus:
“As I have been mentioned above in a ‘tweet’ (I was copied in, but had no part in what was sent) I feel it is only right that I have my own say on the subject. As mentioned on twitter (which of course you haven’t decided to bring up) I am a Mental Health advocate and writer. I believe that referring to anyone as a ‘creature’ is vile in itself, there are much better ways to express disdain or disapproving behaviour. I am not a fan per cé of Sinead, what I am a fan of is appropriate use of language when discussing those that suffer with a mental health condition, and also a fan of educated discussion and debate, not attack with childish slander.”
He goes on to tweet further regarding how “weird” all her fans are, and focusing on his own ‘personal attacks’ rather than his clear misdemeanours and misunderstandings when it comes to mental health. If this wasn’t enough – he then took to his radio show for….well, i’m finding it hard to find the right words. Sympathy? Support? Simply ‘because’ ?
We get it, Jonathan. you find her rude. But (and I shall put it in capitals as it is something that is missed time and time again):
IT IS YOUR USE OF DEROGATORY WORDS AGAINST SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION THAT WAS DEEMED UNNECESSARY AND WRONG.
We aren’t disputing how rude she was or wasn’t – its your insistence at calling her bonkers and crazy. its unnecessary and uncalled for, and in itself, downright vile and rude.
We all have our bad days, mental health or otherwise. But I challenge Jonathan and his fans to make similar comments to those who have had cancer, or who were diabetic, or have a physical disability of some kind.
It quite simply, would not be tolerated.
We all have mental health, and some of us have conditions that dictate we take medication, or need a bit of extra support now and then. But dear Jonathan, we are just like you, and deserve every ounce of respect that every other person in society deserves. Yes we (the people) may be rude, or we (the people) may have a bad day, and we (well, some of the people) are downright arseholes. But that isn’t dictated by our mental health, it is dictated by us as individuals.
By excusing yourself from derogative comments by implying that those of us that disapprove for said reasons are “weird” then you really need to take a long hard look in the mirror.
I’ve said it before, and I will continue to say it – the scary thing about us with mental health issues? We are (shock) just like you. We have feelings, and thoughts, and find ourselves terribly discriminated against. Is Sinéad rude? Or simply just not the polished plastic of other celebrities in the limelight? Either way, lets discuss her as a person and not opt for overly offensive mental health chat.
Stop using words that simply aren’t necessary. Take some responsibility for the actual issue at hand, rather than making a media circus over nothing.
Mental Health vs. Physical Health.
Over the past six months or so, I have been taking a new bout of medication for Bipolar, and overall (aside from the odd side effect) it has been pretty great. My insomnia has on the large part disappeared, my OCD no longer causes me any stress, and my mood swings are all but gone. Hurrah!
However, I seem to have encountered a whole new set of …of….. pro……..ACHOO!!!
The Fun Loving Un-Criminals.
There has been a lot of talk of late about the shootings at the Elementary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. I must open this post by expressing my sorrow to hear of such a tragic event, and how appalling it is that such a tragedy has occurred in what, on the most part, I like to think of as a somewhat civil society.
However, recent coverage of the events has turned my sadness to another direction for another disappointing reason; as the same old stereotypes and assumptions have risen their ever-increasing ugly heads once more.
Managing the Mania.
I’ve found myself in a few situations of late that the mania of bipolar has started to take hold, and some with a few ‘emotional hangovers’ (which i’m sure is a topic that could be covered in one post itself, but I digress…) and I’ve come to question my own management of such mania – not just for my health; but also how it can be viewed by others when doing so.
Boobs.
Over the past few days on Twitter, I have seen more and more examples of blatant sexism that still seems to plague our society and afflict women across the globe.
Of course, the fact that I am outraged at such behaviours and incidents of course puts me (mostly by men, I must add) into the “Angry Feminist” camp. I’m sure they’re waiting for me to shave my head, burn my bra and wonder around various locations with provocative placards in my dungarees. I decided that 140 characters really aren’t enough to put my point and feelings across on the subject; so here is a blog to do so. Continue reading
The Simmering Saucepan.
I find myself using the ‘Simmering Saucepan’ analogy more and more often as of late, and I think it is a rather apt one to use when describing my thoughts on my own mental well being.
Firstly, lets set the scene:
You’re cooking..well, anything that boils and bubbles on your electric cooker (gas really doesn’t have the same effect at all; either that or of course i’m really just not all that good at cooking). Its simmering and steaming, perhaps needing the odd stir. All is under control, and your dinner/lunch/you get the idea is coming along rather nicely, if you do say so yourself. Continue reading
Self Stigma.
Today is World Mental Health Day. I had convinced myself that I didn’t want to write anything at all today, citing “couldn’t be bothered” in an earlier tweet as a justification. In fact, it was that tweet that spurred me to write – despite my initial(for want of a better word) laziness. Continue reading
Is ‘Crazy’ like the ‘N’ Word?
When it comes to the English language (or any language for that matter) it is, by far, one of the most wonderful things in the world. It helps us convey and converse, it lets us relate and resolve. When used correctly, it is fun, fabulous and fantastic…and also, keeps me in a job. Hurrah!
And although i’m probably not cool enough (or maybe young enough) to understand the LOLOL’s and YOLO’s of today, I do find the ever-changing ever-moving evolution of ‘English’ fascinating.
The classification of words is one area in particular that interests me. As an obvious example, the ‘N’ Word. It is a word that was used as a derogatory term for decades until its almost ‘reclassification’ as slang and ‘acceptable’ in certain communities. The same with ‘Yid’ ; once a hate-filled insult thrown during the Second World War, now ‘owned’ proudly by a football following with notoriously Jewish roots.
Now, the use of these words outside of these situations is undoubtedly still considered incredibly offensive, and would cause a stir in many a social society and circle. So, when it comes to certain other words, and the terms used for those of us describing Mental Health, where is the line?
Of course, I frequently find myself using words to describe myself that if anyone else dared to say I would jump on my soapbox in a heartbeat. “Its sort of like the ‘N’ word…” I find myself saying. Some band it around as a term of endearment and friendly banter. But when it is used outside that circle of acceptance, it is immediately deemed offensive.
Casually calling myself ‘crazy’ in passing conversation with my Boyfriend is ‘okay’ because I see it as an almost endearing quality that I see in a positive way. (Something, I must add, he dislikes greatly as a term of describing myself, no matter how flippantly I say it). However, I find myself incredibly offended when in situations disclosing my own state of mental health, others say “but you don’t look crazy..”.
Using such language in a light-hearted way is something I see so many people similar to myself doing on a daily basis. I’d like to think this is us ‘reclaiming’ our own words and making them okay to use in these situations.
Or, a thought that I dread; is that maybe I and others find ourselves the product of our own self-created stigma, referring to myself as ‘mental’ or ‘a little bit crazy’ merely adding to an already fuelled fire of misconception and ill-percieved perception of mental health.
There is always a fine line we tread, when discussing mental illness and its place in the big bad world of words out there. Are we too sensitive? Is it indeed, political correctness gone (cough) ‘mad’ ?
Is it up to us, as those with some sort of experience of mental ill-health or ongoing issues to use these words again and make them ‘okay’? Is it in using these words that we can highlight how comically far from the truth they really are?
Even as I type, I find myself torn between both sides of the coin, feeling like a hypocrite no matter which side I fall. So I ask you… general people of the websiphere – what do you think? Dare I continue to use light-hearted humour or should I be scolding myself, avoiding that “do as i say not as I do” effect?
When it comes to ‘words’ – what is ‘write’ for us to use?