This is why the label of “mental” is far more insidious and offensive than simply being labeled “bad”

[TAW122]

I've had this topic on my mind for a while and recently, I just found a good example showing that the implications of such a label is far more insidious and dangerous than just being labeled as someone who is bad. This is because being 'mental' it not only holds a stigma itself (in society) such that one is not of sound mind or that their credibility is in question. The fact that pro-lifers use such a label against people they don't agree with is not only very dehumanizing, degrading, but also offensive, invalidating, and dismissive towards whatever struggle or reasoning we have for our choice. If anything, they (the pro-lifers) don't recognize the concept of bodily autonomy, especially the ultimate act of free will and to be permanently free from suffering. Additionally, such a label also carries the implication that said person is defective in their mind and lack the agency or capacity to make sound decisions.

This video below shows that when someone is given that "label" or even suspected to be of that label, the implications and insinuations are far reaching and very offensive. So much so that said person react very violently.



Note: Keep in mind I don't condone the actions of the suspect, nor do I glorify any of the acts in the video. I am merely using this as an example to show why the label of "mental" is so damaging and far more insidious than most other labels.

As one can see, the suspect wanted to speak to the police chief, but was denied that. Then (perhaps his behavior set off a red flag) the clerk/officer at the window not only told the suspect no, he cannot see the police chief, but also labelled the suspect "mental", that's when things escalated and went downhill. Needless to say, the officer went out of the room and went directly to the front door where the suspect was at and ordered the suspect to leave. However, not before calling the suspect "mental" which escalated things and resulted in a scuffle. Of course, in the end, the suspect lost and was then arrested and then later made to face the consequences of his actions. IANAMHP (I am not a mental health professional), but from my observation, I don't think the suspect was 'mental' or of unsound mind as he appeared cognizant and aware of his actions (maybe except for the 'manifestation' part that he mentioned earlier, before escalation).

At the end of the day, this thread is to highlight why it is very offensive, damaging, insidiously harmful, and perhaps moreso than most other labels to deemed 'mental'. This is not only dismissive and invalidating, but also very paternalistic and seeks to infantilize and discredit (otherwise silence and shutdown) the accused/alleged person's voice. If the suspect in the video was offended, this only shows evidence of how detrimental it is to label someone 'mental', especially without any supporting evidence to adjudicate one to be mentally and cognitively defective.

Therefore in conclusion, whenever pro-lifers label pro-choicers as 'mental' (implying that we are not of sound mind or that we have a defect in our mind/brain) for the simple fact that we pro-choicers just want suffering to end on our own terms, it is very insulting, offensive, and dehumanizing. A lot of pro-lifers and pro-sufferers like to throw around such a label in order to not only dismiss and invalidate a person's suffering, but also flaunt their moral superiority while getting praise from their fellow pro-lifer peers. This is why such a label is very tyrannical, damaging, and often more harmful than other labels. While other negative and harmful labels are also inherently damaging, at least there is merit and justification for other labels.

 

[TAW122]

While this thread has reached a narrow audience, I decided to bump it and also add some additional thoughts. This thread is just to show an example of how harmful and more insidious the label of 'mental' really is compared to other kinds of labels and insults. I myself, (speaking for myself) would take more offense to the fact that someone alleged that I'm mental as that implies that I'm not of sound mind or have the capacity to make decisions. This is far worse (to me) than to have someone hurl slurs and other insults, perhaps even more than being falsely accused of a criminal act (not that it is good at all, it's not and it has it's own implications too). They are both bad, but if the choice between a label of 'mentally defective' or an alleged 'crime', the latter is the lesser of two evils as that means one would have the recourse of the legal system, whereas in the MHS, one is effectively reduced to that of an infant, unable to make decisions nor have a voice for oneself.

I hope this elaborates my point in more detail. Also, I don't condone the acts of the person in the video.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

I agree. Calling somebody mental is indeed harmful as it causes an easy way for people to have power over others. This happens especially for people like us as pro lifers think that we must be kept alive at all costs as we are mentally insane enough to where we can't even advocate for ourselves. That doesn't even give us the chance to speak though, even if we had such a chance, it wouldn't mean anything due to how much people as a whole love life

Out of curiosity, this thread is giving me major deja vu vibes. I feel like I've seen something similar to this topic in a different post of yours, I just can't currently remember which one though I do know that you quoted existentialgoof in it

 

[R_N]

Mental means out of control with no way to listen to 'reason'. And when someone is labeled that way it puts the other side in the 'right' automatically.

But the funny thing is none of the humans are in control actually. People may behave differently and are easier to influence as 'non-mental' but that doesn't mean they have free will.

Which makes me think. People being predictable is more convenient and unpredictable must be contained at any cost. Even against their will.

That is where dehumanising labels help. Causing emotional reaction in average person which makes them unable to observe the situation from different angles, so they just act impulsively in predictable way.

 

[walkingdead2023]

I think in America, any behavior issues even crimes they blame it on mental illness. I work in a hospital and I never heard or seen anyone being abused or treated differently regardless to why they are being arrested or transferred to mental health facility or even hospitals. So you can't generalize because of random incidents... to label someone with " mental illness! When the person is out of order better than throwing them in jail at least with mental illness they treat you and care about your illness. To treat someone with mental illness or psych behavior as normal is not right either.

 

[UKscotty]

I don't hear the term mental used much here in the UK.

Mostly its like 'oh he's mental mate, he's really pissed off you hit his car'

Calling people with mental health issues mental is not common here.

Personally I'd probably say like "he's mental, he just walked into that shop and stole a bottle of scotch"

It think its certainly lost its true meaning but also lost its negative one too.

 

[Alcoholic Teletubby]

"mental" = Free Pass for Abuse

 

[TAW122]

I agree. Calling somebody mental is indeed harmful as it causes an easy way for people to have power over others. This happens especially for people like us as pro lifers think that we must be kept alive at all costs as we are mentally insane enough to where we can't even advocate for ourselves. That doesn't even give us the chance to speak though, even if we had such a chance, it wouldn't mean anything due to how much people as a whole love life

Out of curiosity, this thread is giving me major deja vu vibes. I feel like I've seen something similar to this topic in a different post of yours, I just can't currently remember which one though I do know that you quoted existentialgoof in it

I think this other thread I wrote a few months ago may be the thread you are referring to perhaps? I think even if I had written a similar topic, this thread is just elaborating and giving another example to further support what I wrote.

Mental means out of control with no way to listen to 'reason'. And when someone is labeled that way it puts the other side in the 'right' automatically.

But the funny thing is none of the humans are in control actually. People may behave differently and are easier to influence as 'non-mental' but that doesn't mean they have free will.

Which makes me think. People being predictable is more convenient and unpredictable must be contained at any cost. Even against their will.

That is where dehumanising labels help. Causing emotional reaction in average person which makes them unable to observe the situation from different angles, so they just act impulsively in predictable way.

Exactly, and dehumanizing labels only serve to delegitimize people who have valid points (without ever getting to their points) and also somehow greenlights the abusers to do whatever nefarious violations of another's civil liberties while gaining the praise of their fellow human beings as 'good' people. This is why such an insidious label and authoritarian institution (both psychiatry and psychotherapy alike) must be exposed and called out for what it is. Throughout history, many once marginalized groups (and some still are in present day) are oftenly delegitimized and silenced by their oppressors using psychiatry and psychotherapy to gaslight and shutdown someone without even them having a chance to speak out against the abuses and wrongs of the system! Some of these once marginalized groups eventually gained a voice and platform, not because of scientific breakthroughs, but simply because it is no longer politically popular nor socially acceptable to hold the old tired views against these once marginalized groups (women, LGBT, minorities, etc.).

I think in America, any behavior issues even crimes they blame it on mental illness. I work in a hospital and I never heard or seen anyone being abused or treated differently regardless to why they are being arrested or transferred to mental health facility or even hospitals. So you can't generalize because of random incidents... to label someone with " mental illness! When the person is out of order better than throwing them in jail at least with mental illness they treat you and care about your illness. To treat someone with mental illness or psych behavior as normal is not right either.

Sure, there are people who may/not have actual mental health real issues and they are given an evaluation first before the next steps (incarceration or having a temporary psych hold), and I am aware of that. If it is found the person is to be not sound of mind, then I would believe that they are then sent to the hospital under a psych hold until they are competent, or if they aren't they are adjudicated mentally defect and ordered to go to treatment, though if they are not, then they are sent to through the criminal justice system.

I don't hear the term mental used much here in the UK.

Mostly its like 'oh he's mental mate, he's really pissed off you hit his car'

Calling people with mental health issues mental is not common here.

Personally I'd probably say like "he's mental, he just walked into that shop and stole a bottle of scotch"

It think its certainly lost its true meaning but also lost its negative one too.

Yeah, I believe it has lost a lot of it's meaning, especially in the way it is being used. When something is overused to the point of being cliche, eventually the word loses it's power, kind of like when someone keeps using the same swear word, eventually the weight and power of the word becomes moot. I think it definitely depends on context, culture, and where one is at. I'm in the US so I'm speaking from a US perspective mainly.

"mental" = Free Pass for Abuse

Sadly, this is true and many oppressors and bullies take joy in the fact that not only did they cause harm to their targets, but also prevents their victims and targets from being able to retaliate or otherwise seek any recourse. It is one of the favorite tools of a dictator or authoritarian, because there is almost no way that one can defend oneself nor disprove such an allegation.

 

[ijustwishtodie]

I think this other thread I wrote a few months ago may be the thread you are referring to perhaps? I think even if I had written a similar topic, this thread is just elaborating and giving another example to further support what I wrote.

The thread I was referring to was this one. It also goes into the labels that society uses against suicidal people that is dangerous. But, yes, I do agree that this thread supports what you already wrote and, with that regard, the things that you write is of amazing quality

 

[Homo erectus]

The society is creating more new labels everyday. It feels like once they give a label to a problem, the problem is solved. With respect to people, each person may easily carry a dozen or more labels, because each person is different in many ways. With many labels to choose from, it is easy to select a small group of people as target of hate, when they want to divert public attention from the deeper and more pressing issues in the society.

 

[TAW122]

The thread I was referring to was this one. It also goes into the labels that society uses against suicidal people that is dangerous. But, yes, I do agree that this thread supports what you already wrote and, with that regard, the things that you write is of amazing quality

Ah I see, and thanks for your support and appreciation of my threads. I put a lot of effort and time partly for my curiosity and exploration, but also for the reader to fully understand where I'm coming from.

The society is creating more new labels everyday. It feels like once they give a label to a problem, the problem is solved. With respect to people, each person may easily carry a dozen or more labels, because each person is different in many ways. With many labels to choose from, it is easy to select a small group of people as target of hate, when they want to divert public attention from the deeper and more pressing issues in the society.

This is very true. Some of the older labels may be gone, but many more new ones replace the older ones and once just about every natural thing is medicalized or even turned into a disorder/label/symptom, then eventually even the label (at least to skeptical and those who are aware) loses a lot of meaning. It's almost like when everyone gets a trophy, sooner or later, the trophy loses it's meaning and integrity since just about everyone has it.