[Cocosurviving]

I was on Facebook earlier and this popped up. I get the ads because I'm a former social worker.
I've been dealing with depression since spring so maybe I'm just being sensitive. But "can't fix crazy" ???? Is that not offensive ? Then I see how many people liked it and shared it. I read comments and people were going on about their experiences and how stressful social work is.

[Shazerac]

Hmmm...yeah I kind of find it offensive.

On the other hand, therapist deal with the frustration that they truly can't fix "crazy." All they can do is try to help the person fix themselves.

[Trippin2.0]

I don't find it offensive at all...

I have plenty "crazy" memes, but then I also do have a dark and twisted sense of humour, and understand that what I find hilarious others probably find offensive.

It's very offensive indeed. Social workers who feel this way shouldn't be social workers. Crazy can often be fixed, so can stupid oftentimes. I wouldn't get offended by that meme if it wasn't coming from someone in the "caring" profession. Sounds more like a meme a sociopath would make than a person who cares. I also don't like people in a caring profession or in education having the attitude "you can't help those who don't want help and can't teach those who don't want to learn". These things are not true, nor are they helpful.

Oh well, we all have dumb ideas at one point or another. Maybe the social worker who made the meme needs a permanent vacation.

[Fuzzybear]

From a social worker... yes I find this offensive ..

[Trippin2.0]

I can understand not wanting to hear this from a SW, buuuut... I've never expected anyone to fix my crazy, their jobs are to help me manage it, survive it...

Last time I checked there was no cure.

I don't find it offensive.

though I can be the most serious person on the planet at times (really low lows), sometimes you just gotta smile about these things, right?

I say it all the time to people.

it's good for the soul to see the amusing side

And this is why care sucks so bad.

[UpDownAround]

If anyone has wondered what I am talking about when I say my social awkwardness causes me trouble in conversations, this is an example of what might come out of my mouth before I think it through. I am not offended by it, but I see how others could be and I understand I should not say it. But I could still say this specific thing because it might pop into my head and roll right off my tongue when I am searching for something/anything to say.

I am taking kids to a pride event in a bit and a little nervous because I am the worst ally on the planet because of what I might say or ask. I should wear a T shirt that says "Sucky Ally" to warn people

[LacunaCoiler]

I don't find it offensive in the least bit. I don't care if someone calls me crazy or not. Life's too short to get your panties in a twist over a word.

[Sunflower123]

I don't find it offensive. I had no reaction at all.

[jacky8807]

nah not offensive to me. but I'm the type that can laugh at like anything...any subject at all (blame my dad IDK)
like stated above...lifes too short to be offended all the time (for me I mean) just gotta roll with it.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

It's very offensive indeed. Social workers who feel this way shouldn't be social workers. Crazy can often be fixed, so can stupid oftentimes. I wouldn't get offended by that meme if it wasn't coming from someone in the "caring" profession. Sounds more like a meme a sociopath would make than a person who cares. I also don't like people in a caring profession or in education having the attitude "you can't help those who don't want help and can't teach those who don't want to learn". These things are not true, nor are they helpful.

Oh well, we all have dumb ideas at one point or another. Maybe the social worker who made the meme needs a permanent vacation.

I completely agree with you. I'm a former social worker and would never think this towards someone on my caseload. I would expect a social worker to be more political correct. As you said we expect more from the caring professionals (doctors, therapists and social workers). I think I have a good sense of humor this just bothered me because the person is suppose to help not joke about something out of their control.

It reminds me of a mental health court judge that was making fun of a schizophrenic veteran (not in court). I worked for the court too at the time and had been there for several years at the time. I was stunned and didn't know how to react. It never occurred to me that any of our cases were funny. I didn't laugh and just ignored the joke, even though he was looking right at me and no one else was in chambers.

I later thought that he shouldn't even be thinking along those lines, much less saying jokes out loud.

We were the ultimate fiduciaries of these people. This was very serious work.

I agree with--not funny based on who it was coming from.

[jacky8807]

i totally understand where you guys are coming from...and I'm not so sure making fun of a schizophrenic veteran is something I could do....

however as a nurse...well the nurse "memes" out there would probably offend a lot of the general public

the thing is...these healthcare fields are high high burn out fields and comic relief is much appreciated. Sure we may joke between ourselves about patients but it does not translate into our work or what we really feel. We can be very compassionate and caring and diligent but still be able to complain and laugh with each other on the side. I imagine pdocs make fun of us all the time. I'm sure of it.
I have worked with enough doctors to know they do it. but they are good and caring doctors.
If you don't laugh in some of these fields you will and I mean you WILL cry.
the burnout can be unreal

[scatterbrained04]

I don't know. I didn't find it too offensive. I actually laughed. But I laugh about my BP stuff a lot.

[WildcatVet]

Sometimes ya just gotta laugh...

[cmorales]

Yes and no. I would rather use the term inappropriate over offensive because to be truthful, in a situation like this, what is offensive is completely subjective. I don't find the term crazy as offensive as some people and I get the humor behind the meme. Basically, on the one hand, I get it's just a joke. I mean, it's true, in a way; not even doctors can fix crazy, they can simply attempt to regulate it...

... On the other hand, however, a social worker sharing this meme is the equivalent of a special needs teacher sharing a meme stating something similar about developmentally challenged kids calling them "retarded" and insinuating there is no hope for them. Like, if this meme was made about social workers by a patient, it would be funnier. But given it seems to be coming form social workers is what makes it inapproptiate. Does that make sense?

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by cmorales

Yes and no. I would rather use the term inappropriate over offensive because to be truthful, in a situation like this, what is offensive is completely subjective. I don't find the term crazy as offensive as some people and I get the humor behind the meme. Basically, on the one hand, I get it's just a joke. I mean, it's true, in a way; not even doctors can fix crazy, they can simply attempt to regulate it...


... On the other hand, however, a social worker sharing this meme is the equivalent of a special needs teacher sharing a meme stating something similar about developmentally challenged kids calling them "retarded" and insinuating there is no hope for them. Like, if this meme was made about social workers by a patient, it would be funnier. But given it seems to be coming form social workers is what makes it inapproptiate. Does that make sense?

Yes I agree with you. As a former social worker I just would have never crossed that line. I was a social worker long before I became symptomatic and later diagnosed. I always advocated not made fun of my clients. Thanks for your reply.

[~Christina]

Im not offended at all..... I have a warped sense of humor i guess

I "have" bipolar I am not crazy.

[*Laurie*]

It is extremely offensive and perpetuates stigma against mental illness.

I am also a social worker and would be appalled if my colleagues found that meme amusing in the least.

I am frankly shocked that so many mental health consumers on this thread find that meme funny

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

It is extremely offensive and perpetuates stigma against mental illness.

I am also a social worker and would be appalled if my colleagues found that meme amusing in the least.

I am frankly shocked that so many mental health consumers on this thread find that meme funny

Thank you for your reply. I am actually surprised too. Maybe I just take things to heart. I would turn in a colleague if they sent me that meme.

Today on The Dr’s a hospital in Pennsylvania was performing surgery on a patient. Well it was a woman being operated on. Some of the doctors started taking pictures of her. The patient had her legs open and a surgical instrument in her vagina.
One doctor was upset and went to hospital administration. Some were fired and others placed on leave. I think professionals need to be professional or change jobs.

All I can say is: if you make or "like" these memes and you truly feel that way, then idk why you're a social worker in the first place.

It is stigmatizing, yes, but let's be real... what do you think your psychiatrists say behind your back? And therapists? And who knows... maybe they look up mental illness memes when nobody's looking. Or maybe they make the memes themselves. You will never know because they probably won't do it in the public's eye.

I'm not trying to say the meme is not a big deal. I'm just saying that we shouldn't waste our energy getting upset about this because there's too much out there to get upset over. We could spend the rest of our lives getting upset, but then what? We make our lives miserable.

You have the right to get upset, of course, but imo, we should spend all of our energy promoting mental health awareness instead. I mean, there is nothing we can do about the past, but there IS something we can do about the future

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

All I can say is: if you make or "like" these memes and you truly feel that way, then idk why you're a social worker in the first place.

It is stigmatizing, yes, but let's be real... what do you think your psychiatrists say behind your back? And therapists? And who knows... maybe they look up mental illness memes when nobody's looking. Or maybe they make the memes themselves. You will never know because they probably won't do it in the public's eye.

I'm not trying to say the meme is not a big deal. I'm just saying that we shouldn't waste our energy getting upset about this because there's too much out there to get upset over. We could spend the rest of our lives getting upset, but then what? We make our lives miserable.

You have the right to get upset, of course, but imo, we should spend all of our energy promoting mental health awareness instead. I mean, there is nothing we can do about the past, but there IS something we can do about the future

Yes, I agree that we would do well to promote mental health awareness.

I do want to say that in many years of working as a social worker with at-risk teens and with mentally ill adults I have never once experienced a colleague(s) making fun of clients. Never once. Maybe I've been blessed to work with especially caring people, I don't know. But every social worker I've encountered takes his/her job very, very seriously and to heart.