Do labels help?
In the field of mental health, it’s an important and complicated question.
In a fundamental sense, labels are incredibly important. They allow professionals to understand the abilities and challenges that an individual may be working with and allow us to use that information to develop a plan for care and support.
However, the word “may” is very important in this context and so is the word “individual.”
For a time it was thought that we could lump people together based on this loose understanding of their mental state. Someone with autism could do X and Y, but not Z. Someone with schizophrenia could do A and B, but would struggle with C. Support for these individuals was often based on these very rudimentary labels.
Do Labels Help?
Over time, we’ve come to understand that each individual is exactly that; an individual. Further, each individual may exhibit certain characteristics but may not exhibit others.
So the question is asked again;
Do labels help?
Labels can help us with a general understanding. They can provide us with an overarching framework. They can help us understand baseline behaviours.
But the key to all of this lies in understanding the individual. What does the individual want? What does the individual need? How can we bring together these two concepts while ensuring that individuals are in a safe environment.
Well, it’s a lot of work. But it’s worth it. We’ve talked before about the concept of life-tasting and it is only through an intense understanding of the individual that we’re able to do this. It’s only through reading beyond the label that we’re able to provide an environment where individuals can grow.
Do Labels Help?
All of this is practiced in a safe and professionally supported environment where we understand what these labels might mean and what they most certainly do not.
What do you think?
Do labels help...or hurt?
