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Let’s Change The Term “Mental Health”

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Nov 11, 2023 | Replies (26)

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@jk77

I dislike "behavioral health" because I think it, too, puts the onus on the person whose behaviors are problematic -- yet those behaviors didn't arise in a vacuum!

I briefly saw a psychiatrist for both meds and talk therapy who believed that we don't exactly have free will, because so much of who we are is determined by family-of-origin stuff that occurs during our 1st three years; it was a relief to hear someone experienced (decades as a practitioner) and well-educated say this.
....... And: About 20 years ago, I worked as a secretary in a methadone clinic for three years; one of my duties was to type up the intake notes for new patients. It amazed me that virtually all of them stated that their home life had been normal or OK -- despite the fact that each of them came from a psychologically dysfunctional family, and that in almost every one of those families, substance use and physical violence had been present.

To be clear, I don't think that our early experiences are a prison we can't escape; I *do* think that we (society) are only starting to combine our 150-yr-old understanding of those forces + acknowledging but not blaming the wounded parents who caused damage + a gradual understanding of therapies that can help with trauma (such as EMDR) + implementing strategies to help those with trauma not only find relief from pain but also have a more-enriching life.

Apologies if I've erred by focusing on my particular bugbears.

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Replies to "I dislike "behavioral health" because I think it, too, puts the onus on the person whose..."

I totally agree with you on this @jk77, as well as what I replied with above on the imprinting and damage laid upon vulnerable, young, innocent minds and psyches...a phrase I think of, and only occasionally share, as I have few people in my life who I can discuss this with, is:
"no one asked me if I wanted to play this game!" ...
...referring to how when one has no where else to turn, there is no other option in youth, this oppression is unconscionable.

BUT, on the term "behavioral health": it does sit a little more gently than "mental health", but I then immediately thereafter think of "(mis-)behaving", or even just "behavior" as words used to describe / judge / label children or teens who don't seem to know any better.

Definitely NOT the connotation I'd want applied to this aspect of being.

And, I certainly respect those for whom it doesn't matter, or is just wording. But, for me, and society-at-large, words are so important as a starting point - obviously, subtlely or subconsciously - especially in this situation which is so intangible to begin with - that I feel strongly about working this through.

Many wrongs must be righted by at least using a word or phrase that doesn't further encumber this challenge to living our best lives.