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Language and stigma

Use of the term ‘mental illness’

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The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Sir, – The use of the term “mental illness” to denigrate, as Richard Ford did in his essay on Saturday, is disappointing (Richard Ford on Kamala Harris v Donald Trump: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”, Weekend, August 3rd).

One does not see, for example, the terms cardiac illness or respiratory illness used in such a way. To set aside mental illness as a negative to describe behaviour that is abhorrent is to propagate stigma and undermine the efforts of those who seek parity of esteem for mental illness when it comes to health service funding and public acceptance and should not be repeated. – Yours, etc,

DR JOHN HILLERY,

Spanish Point,

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Co Clare.