I’ve written quite a bit about how important our use of language is regarding mental health conditions and the people who have lived experience with mental health issues.
Appropriate, respectful, “person-first” language helps to empower, heal, and validate people, while discriminatory, prejudiced, and disrespectful language can hurt, demean and stigmatize.
Given my strong interest in this subject, I was thrilled to come across an extremely helpful guideline called “10 Ways to Combat Discrimination with Compassionate Language,” which was developed by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
The paper offers “ten principles of compassionate language” we can all use to “work against the stigma that so often surrounds mental health.” I’ll provide a brief review and then give you the link to the original paper.
1 – Defy definitions
This first principle discourages the use of terms like “mental illness” and “mentally ill,” which can “imply a perpetual state of misery and abnormality.” In reality, most people with mental health conditions experience symptoms which can wax and wane over time.
2 – Choose thoughtfully
This principle directly addresses the need to stop using inappropriate phrases associated with mental health, like “She’s crazy,” “What a nut job,” “I’m feeling bipolar,” “What a psycho,” and so on. While these may seem harmless on the surface, they can be very hurtful whether or not the person has significant mental health concerns. These comments reinforce many of the negative stereotypes we are trying to get rid of.
This principle also discusses the commonly used phrase “committed suicide,” and makes the point that the word “commit” is associated with criminal behaviors such as murder. The act of suicide is not a crime. Therefore, the more neutral phrases “died by suicide” or “killed herself” should be used instead.
3 – Avoid distancing
This principle talks about how phrases such as “the mentally ill” separates us from people with mental health conditions and their challenges. We should instead refer to people by their names or as individuals, not groups.
4 – Separate the person from the condition
This one is very familiar. Put the person first, as in “she lives with bipolar disorder” rather than “she is bipolar,” or “he has schizophrenia” instead of “he’s schizophrenic. A person’s mental health condition does not define their whole identity, since they will have many roles in life (parent, worker, friend, etc.).
5 – Don’t make assumptions
This principle discourages the use of phrases like “she suffers from mental illness” which assumes the person is constant pain or distress. A better alternative is “she is a person living with a mental health condition.” Also discussed here is the use of the term “patient” to refer to everyone with a mental health concern. Only those under the care of a health professional are patients.
6 – Allow for personal choice
This extremely important principle addresses the common occurrence that many people aren’t aware of these compassionate language principles or they choose not to observe them. When someone doesn’t use these principles, it’s important not to villainize them. Sometimes you may be in a position to offer thoughtful feedback to someone about the different options for more compassionate language and why such language is helpful.
7 – Accept responsibility
This principle reminds us that we all have to take responsibility to promote and use compassionate language at home, school, work or in other settings. By doing so, we can serve as positive role models and help make the use of thoughtful language more commonplace.
8 – Avoid sensationalizing
Many media outlets use shocking, graphic and emotionally laden language to describe mental health conditions or events that have a mental health-related focus. Providing an appropriate context and using more measured language is vital in these types of communications.
9 – Portray people realistically
Media portrayals of people with mental health conditions are often terribly inaccurate and over-dramatized. However, it is possible to present more realistic and even-handed depictions with careful planning and forethought.
10 – Don’t assume mental health is a factor in violent crime
Many media reports of mass shootings quickly imply that the perpetrator has a severe mental illness when this has not been substantiated. The reality is that most people with mental health concerns are not excessively violent and are more likely to be victims of crime rather than perpetrators.
I invite you to read the full text of these principles and share them widely. Only by continuing to raise awareness about these issues and by adopting these “compassionate language” principles can we help reduce the fear, shame and stigma surrounding mental health conditions.
Here’s a question: What are other examples of “compassionate language” we should be more aware of? Please leave a comment. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!