World Mental Health Day: Phrases we should avoid using

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2022 is, “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority”.

In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health began observing the day. Raising awareness of mental health concerns and mobilising support for mental health are the goals of World Mental Health Day.

Here is a list of five things you should not say casually about mental health:

“Pagal ho?” (Are you crazy)

Calling someone Pagal or crazy is not right. They might be going through a tough period that we do not know is affecting them and to what extent. Calling them crazy can further aggravate their mental health.

“Mujhe OCD ho rahi hai” (This is triggering my OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is real, and the condition can hinder the life of the patient. Casually self-diagnosing yourself with OCD and equating personal obsession of cleanliness with OCD is not funny. If anything, it’s nothing less than insulting and dismissive to those who are actually plagued by the real-life symptoms of the disorder.

“It’s all in your head”.

Contrary to popular belief, depression is not the same as sadness. It is, in fact, a very serious mental illness. Telling someone that their mental health is not a genuine disease and it’s all in their head reinforces the misconception — that a person with a mental illness is somehow being dramatic and would feel better if only they could stop thinking about it.

“I have gone through the same thing“

If someone is going through something, saying that you have gone through the same thing is not helpful. Even if our intention is to help them, this phrase can be perceived wrongly and it can make them feel that they are not being heard.