Great work by Amy Colesante, Zach Garafalo and the entire team at the Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP) for speaking out against discriminatory language regarding mental health issues.
MHEP Denounces Discriminatory Language Used in Recent Arlington Cemetery Incident
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2024
ALBANY, NY – The Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP) has issued a response to the recent remarks made by a Trump campaign spokesperson, who referred to an individual as “clearly suffering from a mental health episode” during an incident at Arlington National Cemetery. The language used in the comment has raised significant concern, particularly regarding the discrimination it perpetuates against individuals living with mental health challenges.
Amy Colesante, CEO of MHEP, expressed deep concern over the discriminatory nature of the language used by the Trump campaign in their response. “Labeling someone as ‘mentally ill’ to discredit them is not only inappropriate but also perpetuates harmful discrimination against those who live with mental health conditions,” said Colesante. “Such rhetoric contributes to the marginalization of individuals with mental health challenges, and it is crucial that we strive for understanding and compassion instead.”
Colesante also emphasized that MHEP is a non-partisan organization committed to advocating for mental health and empowering individuals across the political spectrum. “Our mission is to support mental health awareness and understanding without being influenced by political affiliations. We believe that respectful and empathetic dialogue is essential, especially in sacred spaces like Arlington National Cemetery.”
MHEP further condemns the pernicious attacks against individuals with mental health challenges, which not only harm those directly targeted but also perpetuate broader societal discrimination. We call for a collective commitment to ending such harmful rhetoric and fostering a more inclusive and compassionate environment for all.
Read this statement on our website: https://mhepinc.org/commentary/mhep-denounces-discriminatory-language-used-in-recent-arlington-cemetery-incident/
Read all of MHEP’s commentary here: https://mhepinc.org/commentary
