Opinion

Mental illness in perspective

Posted August 30, 2019 1:00 am

I disapprove of President Donald Trump in every way. However, many anti-Trump folks make the egregious mistake of describing him as "mentally ill," "crazy," "nuts," "psycho," "schizo," etc. Doing so is unknowingly counterproductive on so many levels.

Using these descriptors does two things. First, it denigrates and stigmatizes those who truly have been diagnosed with biological no-fault brain illnesses. Second, it gives Trump a pass, because if he truly had a diagnosed mental illness, then we, as good Americans, would want to extend to him the same compassion and empathy that we would to someone who has cancer or heart disease.

In my opinion, Trump is many things, but he is not mentally ill.

To learn more facts about what mental illness is, and more importantly, what it isn't, please visit The National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI.org. Or visit one of the many NAMI chapters in the Chicago and suburban areas.

Louis S. Guagenti

Arlington Heights

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