LibraryScenariosHow joking about mental health can minimize real suffering
Scenario

How joking about mental health can minimize real suffering

I make jokes about my depression and anxiety because it makes other people comfortable but I think I am teaching them not to take my pain seriously.

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More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Using humor to manage others' discomfort with our pain inadvertently trains them to dismiss the very help we actually need.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with The sacred clown?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.