The Language Factor.

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that I was taking the time to think about the words disability and mental health. Anyone who knows me, or has read my previous thoughts will know that I have a problem with these words. Yes! No more working around my attitude to these words - I have a problem with them. These words or labels need to be changed. The words mental or mental, associated with health is used to describe the mental state of human beings. But what arrives with the word mental, are many other connotations, labels, symbols, and inferences. These inferences are deeply tied to history,  because mental health was viewed as someone who was not categorized as "normal." While we do see the many great initiatives that are taking place today. The service workers, care givers are deeply invested in the care of individuals with "mental" health care, these efforts become stale because of the word "mental". 

     So let's talk about it. What are some of the words that people will infer with the word "Mental"? The following is a chart that was produced from a study to investigate the stigma that people associate with mental health.

According to this study - the researchers believe that the stigma towards "mental" health also acts as a barrier for individuals to actually go out and seek help for "mental" health needs. This example reveals the implication of language, and how words are attached to meanings that are outside of the actual word.

The same can be said for the word "disability", as with the word "mental", I also have a problem with this word. Below is a definition of the word: 

     If we deconstruct the word, we can read it as "dis", and "ability." The first half of the word which is "dis" implies that something has been taken away, lost, or cannot be retrieved. So when we attach the "dis" to the word ability - as the definition says, some type of ability has been lost or limited. This word comes with negative inferences, and also stigma. Which is why I also think that this word needs to be changed, to convey, or place an emphasis upon ability. While there may be special care required in both cases, instead of thinking of these as limitations, why not think in terms of being limitless? Depending on individual or severity of cases, in general terms, we can say that human beings that require mind / brain care, or loss of any ability, don't loose their internal or innate desires to survive. The desire to survive, or create will act so that human beings will surpass and see beyond limitations, and will even gain superior abilities, because they can tap into other senses, and probably will gain access to insights, foresight to life, living, that the average human being might over look on a day to day basis.

     We can think of the blind person, or someone with lower eye sight. They will use other senses such as touch, smell, hearing, and it is much more likely that the sense will develop more. Or we can think of someone who has a mind / health care related needs, instead of seeking regular prescription drugs, might decide to use meditative techniques, and exercise. The meditation and exercises will help to develop or maintain cognitive functioning, focus, and even the ability to tap in to other senses, such as the intuition.  

Conclusion
Whilst I have only focused on two words, these thoughts can be transferred to any words that are viewed as problematic, out-dated, or need to be re-thought. Mind / brain health is just like any other ailment that requires care. Loss or reduced ability requires adjustments so that day to day living, as well as goal. aspirations can be achieved. While I have thought about these words in very simplistic terms, there is much depth and team efforts that are required for care, but it is the care that is also in effect being harmed, because of the stigma. 

Inspiration: I was very inspired when I read the word ReelAbilites. This word instantly gave me hope, and a burst of happiness. My reaction exemplifies how a single word can create a multiplicity of meanings. My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Notes: These thoughts were written on January 24th, 2018. Link to the paper is embedded in this thought post. Please note that these thoughts are written on a general level, and do not refer to any specific case or individual. 
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