General The Use Of Mental Illnesses

[ACqnadianKitty]

I have noticed a fair bit that the use of Mental Illnesses (in usernames, or general chat) is fairly common. I've seen usernames that including such mental illnesses as depression or anorexia. I, personally have dealt with mental illnesses, and find it awfully sad when I find such topics in usernames. Now, joking or not. I feel like the use of Mental Illnesses in a username should not be allowed, as it can be very hurtful to those who experience it. Not to say those with the usernames do not, but I feel it'd be more appropriate to not have that in your username, as some people may take that as a joke. Secondly, I have noticed people quoting harsh things that have to do with mental illnesses. In my opinion, when someone talks about a mental illnesses, I instantly want to help them as much as I can. Sadly, a lot of the time these are in fact jokes. And I have witnessed this on PZ. I feel like talking about Mental Health appropriately would be okay, although it may not be. As some people could get offended. So maybe the use of talking about mental disorders could be dropped, for good? I don't know what you all think, but this is just my opinion. Have a good day.

 

[Nashi]

What do you mean when you say, "I feel like the use of Mental Illnesses in a username should not be allowed." I mean, like what punishment would you give if someone had a username that included a mental illness. I feel a ban (until they change their name) would be too much. Everyone that I know that has some sort of mental illness in their username, actually has or has had that mental illness. I don't think we should make them change their username over expressing part of their life. I don't know and haven't heard anyone interpreting people using mental illnesses as a joke.
As for your second note, care to tell me the kinds of things people are saying? I would also like to note, I talk to a lot of the PZ community, and have overheard players many times telling other players they hope they get well, or give them tips on how they can help their mental well being. If we remove the talk about mental illnesses, we will also remove the help from the helpful people in the community. Also, "As some people could get offended", care to explain? Not quite sure what that means. I do agree that joking about mental illnesses should stop, but if we banned all talk about mental illnesses, we would be taking away awareness for them on the server, as well as the help from the community. Also, just a practical question, how would you go about banning the talk of mental illnesses? Just banning the words from the chat filter? Just curious

 

[-Ella]

I agree with you kitty.

 

[Oliiver]

I have noticed a fair bit that the use of Mental Illnesses (in usernames, or general chat) is fairly common. I've seen usernames that including such mental illnesses as depression or anorexia. I, personally have dealt with mental illnesses, and find it awfully sad when I find such topics in usernames. Now, joking or not. I feel like the use of Mental Illnesses in a username should not be allowed, as it can be very hurtful to those who experience it. Not to say those with the usernames do not, but I feel it'd be more appropriate to not have that in your username, as some people may take that as a joke. Secondly, I have noticed people quoting harsh things that have to do with mental illnesses. In my opinion, when someone talks about a mental illnesses, I instantly want to help them as much as I can. Sadly, a lot of the time these are in fact jokes. And I have witnessed this on PZ. I feel like talking about Mental Health appropriately would be okay, although it may not be. As some people could get offended. So maybe the use of talking about mental disorders could be dropped, for good? I don't know what you all think, but this is just my opinion. Have a good day. 3

I feel you Kitty, though I have slipped up a conservation or two about mental illnesses but it was highly uncalled for.

As of someone who has anorexia I take things that have to do with it very seriously, and I hate to see people who have usernames that deal with that kind of stuff.

I was talking to someone before a Role Play, they had a username that had to do with anorexia and I told them that I'm sorta offended by their name but they brushed it off and I was questioned by others like it was normal.

Usernames that have to do with mental illnesses should be should be banned in my opinion because it would keep negativity off of PZ, but it would decrease the amount of players that join since most people have usernames that deal with that type of stuff, which is sad.

 

[ACqnadianKitty]

What do you mean when you say, "I feel like the use of Mental Illnesses in a username should not be allowed." I mean, like what punishment would you give if someone had a username that included a mental illness. I feel a ban (until they change their name) would be too much. Everyone that I know that has some sort of mental illness in their username, actually has or has had that mental illness. I don't think we should make them change their username over expressing part of their life. I don't know and haven't heard anyone interpreting people using mental illnesses as a joke.
As for your second note, care to tell me the kinds of things people are saying? I would also like to note, I talk to a lot of the PZ community, and have overheard players many times telling other players they hope they get well, or give them tips on how they can help their mental well being. If we remove the talk about mental illnesses, we will also remove the help from the helpful people in the community. Also, "As some people could get offended", care to explain? Not quite sure what that means. I do agree that joking about mental illnesses should stop, but if we banned all talk about mental illnesses, we would be taking away awareness for them on the server, as well as the help from the community. Also, just a practical question, how would you go about banning the talk of mental illnesses? Just banning the words from the chat filter? Just curious

Many people joke about physical health as well, and include those in usernames. They are banned, until they change their user, so why should it be any different for usernames regarding mental illnesses? I find people joking about killing themselves comes up a lot, or that they're going to starves themselves, etc. I don't find that behaviour should be appropriate on PZ. As for helping, I mentioned talking about it in an appropriate manner would possibly be okay, although some people may feel hurt by such. So maybe groups such as the listeners group, would be the best solution around that. People with mental illnesses can get triggered very easily by the slightest of topic, even if meant in a serious way, so they would be offended, or hurt by such language. I do not know how we would exactly ban it, maybe just by suggesting to drop the topic once it is brought up. Yes this will take some time, but as do all new rules.

 

[Nashi]

Can you give me an example (fake or not) of a mental-illness related username that should get banned, and (if there is one), one that shouldn't? I agree, jokes about suicide and the like shouldn't be appropriate on PZ. I'm not sure how we would go about stopping them, though, since constantly monitoring them would require staff on every server 24/7 and a chat filter could interpret them in the wrong way. So yes, I agree with you, but it would be hard to implement. I agree, talking about it in an appropriate manner should be allowed, but I think people who are triggered by a well-mannered discussion about mental illnesses, or from someone trying to help them/someone else, should not make some kind of new rule banning all mental illness discussion. I don't see why they would be offended by someone trying to help someone, or someone having a well-mannered discussion, and I don't think we should put any sort of rule on that.

 

[thegayone]

I have noticed a fair bit that the use of Mental Illnesses (in usernames, or general chat) is fairly common. I've seen usernames that including such mental illnesses as depression or anorexia. I, personally have dealt with mental illnesses, and find it awfully sad when I find such topics in usernames. Now, joking or not. I feel like the use of Mental Illnesses in a username should not be allowed, as it can be very hurtful to those who experience it. Not to say those with the usernames do not, but I feel it'd be more appropriate to not have that in your username, as some people may take that as a joke. Secondly, I have noticed people quoting harsh things that have to do with mental illnesses. In my opinion, when someone talks about a mental illnesses, I instantly want to help them as much as I can. Sadly, a lot of the time these are in fact jokes. And I have witnessed this on PZ. I feel like talking about Mental Health appropriately would be okay, although it may not be. As some people could get offended. So maybe the use of talking about mental disorders could be dropped, for good? I don't know what you all think, but this is just my opinion. Have a good day.

I agree with you

 

[ACqnadianKitty]

Can you give me an example (fake or not) of a mental-illness related username that should get banned, and (if there is one), one that shouldn't? I agree, jokes about suicide and the like shouldn't be appropriate on PZ. I'm not sure how we would go about stopping them, though, since constantly monitoring them would require staff on every server 24/7 and a chat filter could interpret them in the wrong way. So yes, I agree with you, but it would be hard to implement. I agree, talking about it in an appropriate manner should be allowed, but I think people who are triggered by a well-mannered discussion about mental illnesses, or from someone trying to help them/someone else, should not make some kind of new rule banning all mental illness discussion. I don't see why they would be offended by someone trying to help someone, or someone having a well-mannered discussion, and I don't think we should put any sort of rule on that.

I don't remember exact usernames. I have just remembered the few that really made me inspired to write this post. The usernames both included depression or anorexia. I don't believe any should not be not allowed, at least I can not think of any at this current state in time. As of now, there's usually staff atleast on creative as often as can be, and if not players are able to make user reports if someone is in fact breaking the rules. I believe talking about it in an appropriate manner could be fine, but there could be arguements that could start. And yes, implementing any new rule, especially as great as this will be tough. But in my opinion, the overall state of PZ could be a more positive place.

 

[Nashi]

What I mean is, were they just including the word depression or anorexia, or where they making fun of it. I know either can be interpreted as making fun of it, but the intention behind it is different. I think usernames that make fun of mental illnesses should not be allowed, but ones that simply have the word in them should be allowed, because that is something that person may be influenced by, and something they wish to share with the world. I just think the chat filter/monitoring would be hard to implement.

 

[ACqnadianKitty]

What I mean is, were they just including the word depression or anorexia, or where they making fun of it. I know either can be interpreted as making fun of it, but the intention behind it is different. I think usernames that make fun of mental illnesses should not be allowed, but ones that simply have the word in them should be allowed, because that is something that person may be influenced by, and something they wish to share with the world. I just think the chat filter/monitoring would be hard to implement.

Again yes, I do not know weither or not they were making fun of it. None of us really could, it's just the fact that they feel the need to add such touchy topic to usernames without any real reasoning behind them. Personally I, and a few others agree on my behalf. And staff manage to monitor chat now, so it wouldn't be all that much harder.

 

[Nashi]

In my opinion, people should be able to have their username as they like, as long as it is family-friendly and doesn't make fun of/extremely offend a group. So that means that, as i previously stated, think that as long as someone is not making fun of a group, they should be allowed to have a username that has a word (like depression or anorexia) in it, as long as the owner of the account doesn't mean any harm to the group. Now this is very hard to determine the intention behind the username, so this is why I think there shouldn't be a ban on mental-illness related names. As for the chat monitoring, I agree that if a staff sees a player making fun of a mental illness, they should be able to give the player some kind of punishment (I think it should be a warn, and if they persist, a mute), but if they are just mentioning a mental illness, and not making fun of it or intending to cause harm to a person of that group, they should be allowed to talk about it. Likewise for user reports.

I know I am in the minority in this argument, but this is just why I will vote to not implement this

 

[ACqnadianKitty]

In my opinion, people should be able to have their username as they like, as long as it is family-friendly and doesn't make fun of/extremely offend a group. So that means that, as i previously stated, think that as long as someone is not making fun of a group, they should be allowed to have a username that has a word (like depression or anorexia) in it, as long as the owner of the account doesn't mean any harm to the group. Now this is very hard to determine the intention behind the username, so this is why I think there shouldn't be a ban on mental-illness related names. As for the chat monitoring, I agree that if a staff sees a player making fun of a mental illness, they should be able to give the player some kind of punishment (I think it should be a warn, and if they persist, a mute), but if they are just mentioning a mental illness, and not making fun of it or intending to cause harm to a person of that group, they should be allowed to talk about it. Likewise for user reports.

I know I am in the minority in this argument, but this is just why I will vote to not implement this

Totally understand, and I have loved your feedback! Just personally I think, since usernames stating other illnesses (including physical illnesses) are not permitted, then neither should mental illnesses. Anyways, thank you for the feedback! I appreciate it!

 

[momokolove]

In my opinion, people should be able to have their username as they like, as long as it is family-friendly and doesn't make fun of/extremely offend a group. So that means that, as i previously stated, think that as long as someone is not making fun of a group, they should be allowed to have a username that has a word (like depression or anorexia) in it, as long as the owner of the account doesn't mean any harm to the group. Now this is very hard to determine the intention behind the username, so this is why I think there shouldn't be a ban on mental-illness related names. As for the chat monitoring, I agree that if a staff sees a player making fun of a mental illness, they should be able to give the player some kind of punishment (I think it should be a warn, and if they persist, a mute), but if they are just mentioning a mental illness, and not making fun of it or intending to cause harm to a person of that group, they should be allowed to talk about it. Likewise for user reports.

I know I am in the minority in this argument, but this is just why I will vote to not implement this

Thank you for your opinion and sharing your view on this. I do however need to disagree. I feel as if mental illnesses are not something you should put in your username. Usernames are there to create something to express and define yourself which everyone can see. If you have depression, a username such as "DepressedCow" or "CowWithDepression" isn't the best way to go. Whether a mental illness is a big part of your life or not, I believe players should find something else to express themselves instead of that, such as "BlueCow", "ArtisticCow", "CaringCow": using a mental illness in your username just sets a certain image and mood and by doing so you are choosing to let everyone else see (in this case) your depression as their first view of you. Instead of going "Oh hey that person probably likes art!", you would instead think "That player has depression..." I don't think you should let that be someone's first few of you, but of course you can still be open about it. Just not to the point where you let it completely define you/introduce you to others. I don't believe there should be any sort of punishment for a username involving a mental illness, but I do think it should be discouraged due to everything I have stated above. Talking about mental illnesses in chat isn't exactly a topic for global chat, however I don't know how think there should be any punishment for it unless people start to get offensive and are spamming chat. Since it's a specific topic it would be best to make an RP chat to speak about it further. Thank you.

 

[Nashi]

Thank you for your opinion and sharing your view on this. I do however need to disagree. I feel as if mental illnesses are not something you should put in your username. Usernames are there to create something to express and define yourself which everyone can see. If you have depression, a username such as "DepressedCow" or "CowWithDepression" isn't the best way to go. Whether a mental illness is a big part of your life or not, I believe players should find something else to express themselves instead of that, such as "BlueCow", "ArtisticCow", "CaringCow": using a mental illness in your username just sets a certain image and mood and by doing so you are choosing to let everyone else see (in this case) your depression as their first view of you. Instead of going "Oh hey that person probably likes art!", you would instead think "That player has depression..." I don't think you should let that be someone's first few of you, but of course you can still be open about it. Just not to the point where you let it completely define you/introduce you to others. I don't believe there should be any sort of punishment for a username involving a mental illness, but I do think it should be discouraged due to everything I have stated above. Talking about mental illnesses in chat isn't exactly a topic for global chat, however I don't know how think there should be any punishment for it unless people start to get offensive and are spamming chat. Since it's a specific topic it would be best to make an RP chat to speak about it further. Thank you.

I agree, I would discourage having a username like that, but I agree that there shouldn't be a punishment for it. As well as the chat, I agree, it should be discouraged, but not punished, and I think it's fine if people want to talk about it in an rp chat, as long as they are not bullying someone because of it

 

[hecccing]

Can you give me an example (fake or not) of a mental-illness related username that should get banned, and (if there is one), one that shouldn't? I agree, jokes about suicide and the like shouldn't be appropriate on PZ. I'm not sure how we would go about stopping them, though, since constantly monitoring them would require staff on every server 24/7 and a chat filter could interpret them in the wrong way. So yes, I agree with you, but it would be hard to implement. I agree, talking about it in an appropriate manner should be allowed, but I think people who are triggered by a well-mannered discussion about mental illnesses, or from someone trying to help them/someone else, should not make some kind of new rule banning all mental illness discussion. I don't see why they would be offended by someone trying to help someone, or someone having a well-mannered discussion, and I don't think we should put any sort of rule on that.

This one person came to my rp and their username was
" AnorexicPug " Something like that.

 

[ACqnadianKitty]

This one person came to my rp and their username was
" AnorexicPug " Something like that.

Yes, that was the person I was thinking of, thank you.

 

[_LaserKiller3000_]

Well, I believe I should come forward on this one

I myself have been dealing with anxiety and depression for 7years now. I don't find the use of usernames like "DepressedCow" wrong. I think they are perfectly fine. And look I've been through and am going through those feelings myself.

The reason I generally don't have a problem with them is that if that's how people want to express themselves let them. Maybe it's got a more positive message behind the name. Maybe they are spreading awareness? Like if I changed my name to "AnxietyKiller" there's a positive meaning behind it. It's positive due to the fact I want the anxiety killed or to be gone.

I know I'm going to get people disagree with me. But I find you're being quite petty with it. I understand you've been through bad times, so have I with mental health problems. Absolutely horrid things I got so so bad needed a Doctor and all.

You get people who maybe use their sexuality as their username, there are others with their characteristics (hair colour, eye colour) and there are others who use mental health disorders that they have been through. It's part of them, I feel as a believer in this myself you should express your mental health as it can help you find support, it can help you get better.

My look on things like this is names that have Swearing or rude things in them shouldn't be allowed and thats a rule. But I think mental health usernames should be. Although I wouldn't recommend using one as it can be upsetting and it's sometimes misinterpreted

Thanks for taking your time to read, bare in mind this is just my opinion and will probably be with diddly squat to most. So take it how you will

 

[Nashi]

Well, I believe I should come forward on this one

I myself have been dealing with anxiety and depression for 7years now. I don't find the use of usernames like "DepressedCow" wrong. I think they are perfectly fine. And look I've been through and am going through those feelings myself.

The reason I generally don't have a problem with them is that if that's how people want to express themselves let them. Maybe it's got a more positive message behind the name. Maybe they are spreading awareness? Like if I changed my name to "AnxietyKiller" there's a positive meaning behind it. It's positive due to the fact I want the anxiety killed or to be gone.

I know I'm going to get people disagree with me. But I find you're being quite petty with it. I understand you've been through bad times, so have I with mental health problems. Absolutely horrid things I got so so bad needed a Doctor and all.

You get people who maybe use their sexuality as their username, there are others with their characteristics (hair colour, eye colour) and there are others who use mental health disorders that they have been through. It's part of them, I feel as a believer in this myself you should express your mental health as it can help you find support, it can help you get better.

My look on things like this is names that have Swearing or rude things in them shouldn't be allowed and thats a rule. But I think mental health usernames should be. Although I wouldn't recommend using one as it can be upsetting and it's sometimes misinterpreted

Thanks for taking your time to read, bare in mind this is just my opinion and will probably be with diddly squat to most. So take it how you will

I completely agree

 

[_LaserKiller3000_]

I would also like to add I'm not picking a side I'm just trying to find a middle ground as I respect both views

 

[ACqnadianKitty]

Well, I believe I should come forward on this one

I myself have been dealing with anxiety and depression for 7years now. I don't find the use of usernames like "DepressedCow" wrong. I think they are perfectly fine. And look I've been through and am going through those feelings myself.

The reason I generally don't have a problem with them is that if that's how people want to express themselves let them. Maybe it's got a more positive message behind the name. Maybe they are spreading awareness? Like if I changed my name to "AnxietyKiller" there's a positive meaning behind it. It's positive due to the fact I want the anxiety killed or to be gone.

I know I'm going to get people disagree with me. But I find you're being quite petty with it. I understand you've been through bad times, so have I with mental health problems. Absolutely horrid things I got so so bad needed a Doctor and all.

You get people who maybe use their sexuality as their username, there are others with their characteristics (hair colour, eye colour) and there are others who use mental health disorders that they have been through. It's part of them, I feel as a believer in this myself you should express your mental health as it can help you find support, it can help you get better.

My look on things like this is names that have Swearing or rude things in them shouldn't be allowed and thats a rule. But I think mental health usernames should be. Although I wouldn't recommend using one as it can be upsetting and it's sometimes misinterpreted

Thanks for taking your time to read, bare in mind this is just my opinion and will probably be with diddly squat to most. So take it how you will

Thank you for your opinion. As I must say though, people are generally not necessarily proud to have a mental illness. They may be proud to have over come it, or other things like such. So personally I dont see the exact point, but I do agree that using such terms in an appropriate and cautious manner would be alright.