The power of words in mental health
Language shapes perceptions of mental health, either reducing stigma or reinforcing negative stereotypes. The words we choose can have a profound impact on:
| ❌ Avoid These Terms | ✓ Use These Instead |
|---|---|
| "Crazy" or "insane" | Person experiencing mental health challenges |
| "Psycho" or "mental" | Person with a mental health condition |
| "Suffering from..." | "Living with..." or "experiencing..." |
| "Committed suicide" | "Died by suicide" |
| "Attention seeking" | "Expressing distress" or "asking for help" |
| "OCD" (used casually) | "I like things organised" (don't trivialise conditions) |
| "Depressed" (used lightly) | "I'm feeling sad" or "having a difficult day" |
| "The mentally ill" | "People with mental health conditions" |
When we use supportive language, we:
Negative language can:
Remember: Use person-first language that recognises the person before their condition.
This approach recognises that a mental health condition is something a person has, not who they are.
Encouraging respectful language creates safe environments for open mental health discussions. When people feel safe, they're more likely to:
Words matter. By choosing our language carefully and speaking with empathy, we can create workplaces where mental health is understood, supported, and free from stigma. Small changes in how we communicate can make a big difference to those around us.
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