Okay, Muggles. Let’s get this one down quick and without question. When you say…

“Everyone has a little mental illness.”

…what peers hear is…

“Everyone has a little ulceratic colitis. Everyone has a little osteogenesis imperfecta. Everyone has a little feline leukemia. Everyone has a little sickle cell anemia. Everyone has a little chronic explosive dysentery. Everyone has a little bovine encephalitis. Everyone has a little rheumatoid arthritis. Everyone has a little diabetes. Everyone has a little chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Everyone has a little cystic fibrosis. Everyone has a little sclerodermis. Everyone has a little amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Everyone has a little Parkinson’s disease. Everyone has a little muscular dystrophy. Everyone has a little cerebral palsy… and so on and so forth and so forward and so vectored…

Look, I know you Muggles haven’t the intent to belittle our mental health issues, and I know you Muggles are trying to find common ground, and I know you Muggles who say things like “everyone has a little mental illness” is a clumsy way of trying to make an understanding connection with peers, and I am personally so thrilled, gratified, and emotionally moved when Muggles make this effort. Truly. Thank you.

Still, it is improper to say “everyone has a little mental illness” because you either have a mental illness or you don’t have a mental illness. There are no shades between “I have a mental illness” and “I don’t have a mental illness.” Flatly, it is insulting and it is improper.

This does not mean your sentiment of sympathy isn’t welcome or unwanted. Again, I am personally so thankful for Muggles who care for peers. Just be careful with your wording, please, because while I am personally happy with anyone reaching out to me, some peers will be turned off by the phrase “everyone has a little mental illness.”

There you go. Muggle Lesson #88.