There are many serious topics in life that should not be taken lightly. Mental health is one of these topics. There is an unjustified negative stigma around mental health, but that does not justify making fun of the issues and troubles of people who are not capable of controlling their own life.
People take their mental normality for granted. Ironically, jokes are meant to be funny, but these jokes have a negative effect on people and can trigger those going through similar issues. Making jokes like this displays a lot about a person's character when they talk about suicide or when they make fun of someone for having a disorder or birth defect they cannot control. Mental health is affecting many people but is not talked about as much as it should be and when it is negatively talked about, it is really hurting the people that are affected. With the help of different support groups, people can rise above their prejudices and help their communities.
Suicide is an epidemic that is not only spreading throughout America but also around the world. It is disgraceful to use suicide as a lighthearted joke when, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, "123 people are committing suicide per day." People casually reference killing themselves when talking about being stressed or upset, but that should not be the case. It may seem far-fetched, but it is more present than one may think.
The Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) willingly states that "80%-90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication." How is it appropriate to joke when it is affecting way over the majority of the population? Not only is the majority of the population dealing with depression but, according to SAVE, "Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults ages 18-65."
Suicide is not just affecting people with hard lives and visible reasons for being depressed. It plays a role in celebrities' lives as well.
When Robin Williams committed suicide, thefamouspeople.com wrote "Williams had always had problems with alcoholism and drug abuse. He also suffered from depression." You wouldn't know it from his movies — he always had a smile on his face and usually played uplifting roles in Hollywood.
Depression is not always noticeable, and suicide is not always expected. Making jokes can offend people suffering through life, feeling unwanted, and feeling unloved.
Lou Holtz, former American football player, coach, and analyst, worded it perfectly when saying, "We have an obligation to help people that cannot help themselves. The intellectually disabled, et cetera." It is a blessing to have the ability to think for yourself and the capability to do things on your own.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines retardation as, "an abnormal slowness of thought or action." It is something that people cannot control. They are born with the abnormality and are trying every day to adjust to the life that others call "normal." Mental retardation is an intellectual disability. The Columbia Montour Snyder Union makes it clear that "Intellectual disability is not a disease and it is certainly not contagious. It is a condition which affects an individual because of some change or damage with the developing brain and neurological system."
The people who are affected by the disability should not be made fun of but commended for the hard work they put forth every day. Ignorance is the only thing that could justify joking about an intellectual disability. Families and communities have to adjust their entire life to accommodate to those that are diagnosed.
Every day, people are struggling to live life and fit in and it is not making it easy when bullies make fun of them to their faces. Having a disability does not make someone weak. If anything, it makes them stronger that they can go through life, struggling, and still be successful.
There are numerous problems when it comes to joking about mental health, but there are also many solutions. The popular bracelet company, Lokai, partners with many causes to raise awareness for different foundations. The official Lokai website announced that,
"One in five American adults live with a mental illness, but so few people are talking about it. Each Mental Health Lokai will help fund the NAMI HelpLine, giving people with mental health conditions a safe place to talk and receive the support they need. Together, we can facilitate conversation and end the stigma against mental illness."
Awareness is one of the best ways to stop the callow behavior towards mental health. These large companies are raising money and providing supplies to spread knowledge. Artists have so much power because they have such a big fan base. According to Billboard, the national News publishing website, after the vocal mastermind Logic released his suicide prevention song, 1-800-273-8255 (the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) the "lifeline received the second-highest daily call volume ever at that time — over 4,573 calls." Small acts to bring awareness will make mental health be seen as a problem and not a joke.
Making jokes about mental health is more of a consequence than people realize. It is not "cool" and it won't make someone "popular" to joke about something that another human being cannot control. These jokes are not meant to be taken lightheartedly. Be an advocate and acknowledge the problem and share the solution. Luckily enough, there are many foundations and associations raising money and awareness for these causes.
Making these situations feel more relatable and really hitting home, the supporters allow the cause to branch out and help more people. It all starts somewhere. By standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, lives are being saved.
