14 July: Mad Pride Day and its Significance

OV Digital Desk
3 Min Read
Mad Pride Day 2022

14 July is observed as Mad Pride Day.  It is a mass movement of the users of mental health services, former users, and the aligned, which advocates that individual with mental illness should be proud of their ‘mad’ identity. Activists supporting Mad Pride seek to reclaim terms such as “mad”, “nutter”, and “psycho” from misuse, such as in tabloid newspapers.

Mad Pride activists use mass media campaigns to raise awareness about mental disabilities, the mental health system, and suicide worldwide.

On the same day, Bastille Day, International Non-Binary People’s Day, and Pride Month are observed as well. On a similar theme, World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10 October every year to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

 The theme of Mad Pride Day 2022

14 July is observed as Mad Pride Day.  It is a mass movement of the users of mental health services, former users, and the aligned, which advocates that individual with mental illness should be proud of their ‘mad’ identity. Activists supporting Mad Pride seek to reclaim terms such as “mad”, “nutter”, and “psycho” from misuse, such as in tabloid newspapers. There is no specific theme for the day.

Quick facts about Persons with Mental disabilities

Here are a few facts about mental disabilities:

  • It’s estimated that 4.6 million people in the US have an intellectual disability.
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is totally preventable and causes mental disability.
  • Children with cognitive disabilities may develop slower than other children in terms of speaking, walking, and taking care of themselves (showering, eating, dressing).
  • Genetic disorders cause about 25% of mental disabilities.
  • According to a BBC poll in the UK, “retarded” is the most offensive disability word.
  • The majority of people with these disabilities show only mild symptoms and, with the right support, can learn and grow a lot.
  • In the United States, 92% of adults with mental disabilities live independently or with family members, while 8% live in institutions.
  • There are 25 to 33% of kids with mental disabilities whose cause is unknown.
History of Mad Pride Day

In 1993, it was formed due to prejudices against people with psychiatric histories living in boarding homes in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It’s been held every year since then in the city except for 1996.

Around the same time, the UK started a similar movement. The Mad Pride name was being used around the world by the late 1990s. This included Australia, Ireland, Portugal, Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, France, South Korea, and the United States. Many events draw thousands of people, says MindFreedom International, a mental health advocacy group that promotes and tracks them.

Read Also: World Mental Health Day

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