some recent bigotry on this list

[Tree Fitzpatrick]

There is no reason to assume anyone that has been identified as having any
mental health disability is 'clearly mentally unstable' simply because they
do something we do not like.

And there is no reason to perpetuate false myths about people with mental
health disabilities by claiming that anyone who exhibits less than perfect
behavior, such as spouting off when angry, indicates that person is
'unstable'.  To be bandying about the word 'unstable', with clear
references, be they implicit or explicit, that the reference is suggesting
that the person in question has a tendency to imbalance is perpetuating some
deeply entrenched myths about what it means to be a person with a mental
health disability.  If Birgitt had not mentioned that the participants at
her event all had bipolar or schizophrenia, but had, instead, simply told a
story about someone who misbehaved and exhibited a bad temper, then I am
fairly certain that Paul would not have employed the phrase 'clearly
mentally unstable', that you would not now be lumping all people who have
ever lost their temper into the category of 'mentally unstable', etc.  The
stigma that inhibits people with mental health disabilities from living full
lives is subtly pervasive in all our thoughts.  You, Rosana, are absolutely
free to hold any beliefs you hold, both as an individual and as an
advocate.  I happen to believe that your use of the word unstable to
reference behavior you do not like is just the kind of stigma that
perpetuates many of the problems people with mental health disabilities
have.  If even an advocate for persons with mental health disabilities
cannot identify stigma when she sees it. . .

I have been an advocate for the mentally ill in numerous roles myself,
Rosana.  As an attorney, I represented many people with mental health
disabilities.  I have worked as an advocate for a few advocacy
organizations.  And, as I have disclosed, I am someone with a mental health
disability.  I mention my expertise,Rosana, only because you have mentioned
yours.

Sincerely,
Tree Fitzpatrick, MS, JD

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