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I am writing to express my surprise in reaction to the article “February is Psychology Month,” published on the Northumberland Free Press on Feb. 1, about recognizing the role that psychologies play in reducing stigma around mental health.
May I express my surprise that you want to keep some? How much? Why?
Perhaps you will reconsider using that term.
From Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.:
“Stigma” has been used as an all-purpose term for the negative attitudes faced by directed at people with behavioural mental health issues. However, increasingly, reporters are using more precise terms, such as “prejudice,” “bias,” “social exclusion,” or “discrimination.”
“I hate the word stigma. Because what we’re really talking about is guilt(ing), sham(ing), ignorance, and prejudice,” said Dr. Mark Hyman Rapaport, chief executive officer of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute with the University of Utah (edits are mine).
Dr. Thomas Insel, former director of the National Institute of Health, argued that the pretense stigma has hampered research. He takes issue with the term stigma: “It’s sort of a victim(izing) word,” says Dr. Insel. “I think what we’re trying to do is get more people empowered and trying to talk about this more as discrimination or injustice… (edits mine)
Harold A. Maio
Retired mental health editor
Fort Myers, Fla.
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