Stigmatized Language and Mental Health: Experiences of Children and Parents in Pakistani Context

Abstract

This research paper discusses the impact of the stigmatized language on children with mental illnesses and their parents. It is also concerned with the influence of this type of language on social interaction and mental health. The main purpose of the study lies in exploration of the implications of stigmatized language in relation to mental illness and its impact on the psychological and societal well-being of children with mental illness and the emotional and social life of their parents. The qualitative method is adopted and four parents of mentally disabled children are interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The results suggest that stigmatized language does lead to social isolation and psychological discomfort and deprivation of social support among children and parents. The further study could increase the sample size and focus on the greater cultural aspects of stigmatization of language in various settings.