Origin: Either (i) a borrowing from French. Or (ii) a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French mental; Latin mentalis.
Etymology: < Middle French, French mental (1371 as mentel , 1457 as mental) or its etymon post-classical Latin mentalis rational (beginning of the 5th cent.; rejected as a neologism by St Augustine) < classical Latin ment- , mēns mind (see i-mind n.) + -ālis-al suffix1. Compare Italian mentale (a1306), Old Occitan mental (c1350), Spanish mental (1490), Portuguese mental (15th cent.).(Show Less)
A. adj.1 (In all senses except A. 4 and A. 6 predominantly used attributive)
I. Senses relating to the human mind in the most general sense. (Oxford English Dictionary accessed 13/05/21).
How many people actually know the origin of the word, 'mental' or the true sense of this word ? To me this is a cold harsh word. For me the harshness comes from the 'tal'. The tone this brings is one of negative usage and fear.
What is it that we fear when it comes to the human mind? It is after all our computer that assists us to live.
At some point in our lives we will all experience a 'shut down' or short circuit ' of some sort, it is inevitable, due to pressures of one sort or another, nobody is immune.
How much has this word hindered progress in our society ? How much of an impact does the word 'mental' have on our society and what connotations does that bring ? How do you break through the barrier when there are years of generational fear of the word, 'mental'? In my experience, l have found that some families are more able to give sympathy and understanding to those outside a family arena than those that are in it, a case of, 'not in my backyard !' The word can bring fear and dread to some. We can take and accept credit for our ability to use our wonderful brain yet when it has a virus or a short circuit we just can not accept it. Is it our feeling and emotion of the word that initiates fear to take over?
People that have suffered traumatic events in their lives will always be affected, however historically by not being able to talk or discuss this due to the staunch attitude, that many face, such as being told, ,'your mental, weak, nothing the matter with you, get over it', has prevented them from seeking help. How can we support and educate families to understand and overcome this negative word ?
Culture and beliefs, how much do we really think we know ? Many cultures and beliefs are taboo and are very much alive, however due to its nature, western philosophy can be of the mind that these do not exist. l feel that this is shear ignorance, 'glossed over' due to the fact that in most cases within the cultures, the beliefs are taboo and thus, the cost of this to individuals within these cultures is very great. It is easy to label them as 'mental' due to the lack of understanding .
The power of this one word has prevented and hindered many, over the years to seek help due to stigmatisation and ignorance, thus leading to surges in mental health. There needs to be better education and understanding of the word before society can start to really tolerate this issue. At some point we will all have an issue with the brain and that is perfectly ok. How we are able to reach out to more people is in our hands, how to eradicate the fear of the word, 'mental' is another matter. To me 'mind' gives a softer and less threatening tone, so why do we use the word, 'mental'?
Mental - Is it all in the wording ? How do we eradicate the stigma ?
The power of this one word has prevented and hindered many, over the years to seek help due to stigmatisation and ignorance, thus leading to surges in mental health. There needs to be better education and understanding of the word before society can start to really tolerate this issue. At some point we will all have an issue with the brain and that is perfectly ok. How we are able to reach out to more people is in our hands, how to eradicate the fear of the word, 'mental' is another matter. To me 'mind' gives a softer and less threatening tone, so why do we use the word, 'mental'?