Experts Express Concerns That Gen Z's Use Of 'Woke' Slang To Discuss Mental Health Could Be Harmful

Has your brain stopped braining? Well, if you have been anywhere near the internet in the past couple of years, you would have had the chance to stumble upon some concerning conversations between millennials and Gen Z.

These generations use slang even when having a serious discussion, which has worried experts.

How Can Slang Affect Mental Health Stigma?

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Conversations around mental health are already soaking up stigma, even as many try to actively destigmatize these mental health conditions. However, experts believe that excessive use of slang while talking about such mental issues could lead to further stigmatisation of the conditions.

Some doctors believe that using informal lingo to describe serious mental health issues in place of legitimate diagnosis terms could lead to further stigmatisation in the mainstream.

What Are Some Of The Slangs Used By Gen Z?

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Experts have noticed how many individuals on the internet use terms like ¡°menty b¡± to describe varying levels of going through a mental breakdown. The term has racked up bizarre numbers on platforms like TikTok. The slang has trickled into merchandise like Etsy mugs, t-shirts, and hoodies with ¡°menty b¡± etched on them.

Besides ¡°menty b,¡± there¡¯s ¡°stressy depressy,¡± an equally disturbing slang. Other include ¡°suey¡± (suicidal) and ¡°grippy sock vacation¡± (which refers to the footwear one receives during a psychiatric hospital stay).

Why Do Gen Z And Millenials Use These Slang Words?

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Most people using these terms online use them in hopes of destigmatizing mental health, ironically. They also feel that the nonchalance of slang could help people talk about these serious matters easily and even relate to others battling similar problems.

However, experts say the overuse of such shorthand terms could blur the line between jokes and serious cries for help.

¡°These trivial uses of these kinds of terms can really minimize and invalidate people that really struggle,¡± explained Dr Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist at Children¡¯s Medical Center Dallas.

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