On the legitimacy of stigmatizing language re mentally ill on DU

[libodem]

4. So if we do mention it

Is "mental illness" ok to use? And is 'crazy' the word that drops you to your knees and deprives you of your humanity? I'll try not to use it.

In 1976, I was 20, or so and always cared about helping people and went to work at State Hospital South. Big old stone buildings, tunnels underneath, isolation rooms, full leather restraints, Thorizine, Haldol, Mellaril, ruled the day. Dignity and respect were our watch words.
You have a building with 60 men, women, teenagers, each with a different diagnosis. Some had schizophrenia some bipolar some just couldn't cope and broke down.

Lots of the disruptions were learned behaviors, some could not be helped. We had a a number of duel diagnosed clientele who were also, how shall I say, intellectually challenged as well as psychiatricly, poor ability to ever gain any insights.

One day, Nurse Knight, a large, experienced, white haired, square shaped woman, looked at one of the patients who was acting out, and said, "Stop acting crazy"

Just want to report the behavior stopped there and then.
I was shocked, I did not think we could use that word. I learned something about acting out for attention, lots of that behavior is rehabilitatable and can be changed.

I suppose I should have reported it as abuse and had her fired. I should have been fired for not reporting.

I'm not pure enough to post in this group. I'll trash it.