Choose your words wisely. Considering how vast the English language is, there are many creative ways to express ideas. Unfortunately, when it comes to insults and jokes, some choose to use particular words or phrases in a completely inappropriate manner.

One of the most common words misused is “retarded.” This word describes a delay in learning or development in comparison to age. It is not uncommon and can accompany other mental illnesses. “Retarded” does not mean stupid or idiotic. Furthermore, the word is not meant to attack others. Using it as an insult or slur is known as ableism. Slower learning or development is a condition that someone cannot help. If you use a slur relating to a mental illness when insulting someone, you are amounting someone else’s struggle to a joke. You are using their condition as synonymous for a lack of intelligence. If someone is acting without intellect, there are many words to describe the situation. Ridiculous. Ignorant. Absurd. Laughable. Silly. Preposterous. “Retarded” isn’t the word to use.

A more serious misuse of language concerns the topic of suicide and depression. Nothing is more disgusting than when someone is under the impression that it is humorous to joke about suicide. Nearly every day I will hear someone declaring a suicide that they view as humorous. If you have jokingly spoken about killing yourself, did you mean what you said? Was your intent to take your own life? If you were not serious when you made that statement, then you were severely out of line. Remember there are people who do seriously wish to kill themselves. Depression is not uncommon; according to teachervision.com, 11 teenagers commit suicide daily. There are depressed teens in every high school. Many of those have seriously considered taking their own life. Laughing about their suffering or making jokes about the struggles they go through every day is absolutely revolting.

You may think that because jokes involving mental illness are so common, it is not a big deal when you do it. You would be wrong. Adding to the problem only further abuses those with any type of mental illness.

There many examples to show this growing problem in our society, but it all boils down to the same idea. Think before you speak. It is not difficult to change the way you speak about others, and doing so will positively impact many. People affected by mental illness do not deserve to become a label for someone’s childish insults and jokes.