In the last couple of years “triggered” jokes have been widely used by teens after the term became a popular meme. Those jokes turned into declarations of “I’m gonna kill myself” in the most random and most trivial circumstances without any genuine intention. “KMS” became a common abbreviation for “kill myself” in texting/social media.  Other examples are statements like, “the weather is bipolar” when the weather can’t actually have a disorder, weaponizing a term by accusing someone of OCD because he/she keeps their room organized, or deeming someone retarded because their grades are slipping. Although a lot of people find it harmless, for those of us who actually have anxiety disorders, PTSD, or substance addictions, triggering takes a surprising toll on our sense of self-worth and validity.

“Triggered” is flung around without much thought, and the general misuse of mental health language runs rampant today,  diminishing mental illnesses by turning them into adjectives and even slurs.

There are actions we can take to lessen the blow and empower each other and our youth. The simplest is awareness. We need to educate people who are unaware of the jokes and misuse of language. We need to teach friends, families, peers, teachers, and students that mental health and illness are not things to be afraid of or to laugh at.  We need to, lift each other up instead of tearing each other down. To read Caden’s full article, visit our Safespace website blog