What Do You Think About Bernie Sanders' Mental Health Joke

In a shot at the Republican presidential candidates, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made a joke about mental health during the Democratic debate in Flint, Michigan, on Sunday night.

“We are, if elected president, going to invest a lot of money into mental health,” the Vermont senator said, according to Business Insider. “And when you watch these Republican debates, you know why we need to address the mental health.”

His comment was met with applause, but on Twitter some thought the line was insensitive:

Hi @BernieSanders
Your statement on mental health is disturbing and stigmatizes those with mental illness. https://t.co/UepN7NrJRE

— Yukio Strachan (@boldandworthy) March 7, 2016

Dear @BernieSanders,
My mental health is not a joke. It does not make me a racist, judgmental, sexist person. That was a despicable comment.

— Annie Kehler (@annie_kehler) March 7, 2016

This sort of response is why we need more education regarding mental health. Really poor form, @BernieSanders. https://t.co/MIwzUCYCnl

— Nish Weiseth (@NishWeiseth) March 7, 2016

.@kenvogel It’s comments like these that contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health. @BernieSanders should know/do better. #NHsmc

— Jane Hong (@janehong_) March 7, 2016

Like, @BernieSanders you need to do some damage control over the mental health jab. #DemDebate

— Alan-Michael (@watalansays) March 7, 2016

.@BernieSanders @HillaryClinton I’m part of the 18.2% of American adults with mental health problems. Bigotry is not a mental illness.

— SR (@srayyyyy) March 7, 2016

Others were more understanding:

@BernieSanders thank you for talking about #mentalhealth in this country. #Suicide rates,including #vets are alarming. #Vets4Bernie

— Damian Mann (@Damian_Mann) March 7, 2016

@BernieSanders probably could of skipped that mental health joke but I ain’t mad. I understand, it was funny. #DemDebate #BernieSanders

— Allessandra Mazza (@AlleyLmfao) March 7, 2016

Do you think Bernie’s joke was fair? Tell us your opinion in the comments below.