mental health

Stigma or Discrimination: Language Matters

October 6, 2015

by Kelly Davis, Policy and Programming Associate

A big word in mental health right now is ‘stigma,’ but many advocates and consumers do not think this is the correct word to use in the context of mental health. Stigma campaigns focus on raising awareness to remove individual blame from mental health disorders, increase help seeking behavior, and show just how common these disorders are. Critics of the campaigns come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs but almost all agree that stigma is not the appropriate way to describe what is happening.

Talking About the Murphy-Johnson Bill

June 23, 2015

By Paul Gionfriddo, MHA president and CEO

It’s a whole new ballgame in Congress this year. People are talking to one another, instead of shouting at one another. And there is a sense that as a result comprehensive mental health reform legislation will finally get serious consideration.