‘Psycho’ can be used as an abbreviation of either psychotic or psychopath and is used flippantly in many contexts including entertainment media, news and advertising.

Psychosis refers to psychotic mental illness, whereas the term psychopath relates to extreme violence and anti social behaviour, not mental illness. Using the term psycho to reference mental illness implies a misleading connection with violence and criminal behaviour.

Terms like ‘psycho’ and ‘schizo’ label and demean people living with mental illness. The perception is often that using these words is humorous or acceptable - and harmless. In reality mental illness can be highly disabling, leaving those who live with the symptoms, and the stigma, feeling mocked and trivialised. Using terms such as these in the media sends a signal to the community that it’s ok to call people these names and negatively stereotype people with mental illness.

StigmaWatch urges all media professionals and public spokespeople to leave these labels in the past, along with racist terms.