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Words matter, and can have a profound effect on people hearing them, regardless of what we intend in speaking. Bring Change 2 Mind is a non-profit organization created by Glenn Close, the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, Fountain House, and IMHRO (International Mental Health Research Organization), that is dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

In addition to supporting these important organizations, we can take steps every day to eradicate bias and increase understanding. Mental illness is part of our lives, and when we, even casually, use words like “crazy” “mental” and “insane” to describe situations or people, we perpetuate misunderstanding. It’s rarely intentional, but I can guarantee that someone nearby is, or has a family member or other loved one, who has mental illness. The statistics bear this out: more than 15 percent of adults, and ten percent of children, suffer from a diagnosable mental illness.

From the website:

Words are very powerful. When we say someone is ‘crazy’ or ‘that’s totally mental’ we’re only perpetuating stereotypes. There are other phrases and terms that may seem insignificant, but really aren’t. For example it is more sensitive to say that someone “has schizophrenia” than by calling that person a “schizophrenic”. Why? Because having a mental illness does not so fully define someone as to become their complete identity.

So again, it’s best to refrain from using terms like “crazy,” “nuts”, “psycho” and “lunatic”. You get the picture. And while there may be times when it is too challenging or simply not possible to politely correct someone else’s insensitive use of language, you can always try to watch your own.