Our nation’s institutions of higher education, such as Indiana University, are experiencing an unprecedented push for political correctness. This is causing difficulties for an abundance of students, oftentimes exacerbating their existing mental health problems.
As the Director of the American PTSD Association and as a survivor of a vicious near-deadly rape involving three men, I can speak to the challenges of mental illness.
After the rape, I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression. During my recovery, I spent six-years on a cross-country mission trying to reach a symbolic goal. Throughout that time, I spoke at 27 colleges and engaged with over 7,000 students who all shared with me their stories on how they’ve personally been impacted by mental illness.
One concern that students continually brought up was the extreme societal push for political correctness. I soon realized how widespread this issue was. Students from many diverse backgrounds have been urging me to speak out on this specific issue of PC culture and how it’s creating more harm than good for their mental health.
Recently, I reached a tipping point on this issue.
As I exited a grocery store last week, a buddy of mine, who I hadn’t spoken to in months, saw me from across the parking lot. He excitedly asked, “Did you accomplish your big goal yet?” I explained that I had not but was still working towards it after six years of effort. He shouted back, “That’s crazy dude!”
Then he paused, looked down, and shook his head. Ashamed of what he said, he apologized. Why? Because he had used the word crazy and was aware I had been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. That’s when it all clicked for me. It made me realize how perilously far this PC thing has gone.
If our friends and family are forced to walk on eggshells and worry about every single word they use around those of us with mental illness, they will simply avoid talking with us, forcing us into isolation and shattering our mental health. We cannot allow this to occur.
We shouldn’t rush to criticize and ostracize people for using words that may or may not be deemed inappropriate, like crazy. What matters is that they speak and act with good intentions.
The truth is, the vast majority of folks out there do have good intentions. They want to be helpful.
Furthermore, those wishing to help need to stop running to psychologists to learn what the proper things to say to those of us with a mental health struggle are. The PC culture has people scared stiff to simply talk and engage with one another for fear of saying something that has been deemed offensive.
However, when people start using phrases given to them by counselors and therapists, their words become empty and disingenuous. The recipients of those messages are aware of what you’re doing. We know it’s just a copy and paste of someone else’s words and not your own.
As your friends and family, we recognize how you talk. We know the words you tend to favor. That’s why when you start employing phrases given to you by a therapist, it doesn’t feel authentic. It feels as if it is someone else speaking.
The best advice is to simply be yourself, no scripts, guidance, seminars, or Ivy League degrees needed. If you want to express support for us, it’s simple, just come from a place of love and compassion. The rest will take care of itself.
I’ve had an epic journey. I’ve learned a lot from the more than 7,000 students I’ve spoken to at schools such as Rutgers, the University of Texas, Arizona State University, and the University of Wyoming.
Here’s the basic message I want to share with you all. Ease up on the political correctness. It’s hurting us, not helping us.
Just dare to be human. If your intention is love and compassion, we’re going to know.
Even if you screw up and say all the wrong words. You will have been there for us. That’s truly the support we need.