Mental Health Language is Evolving to be More Inclusive and Empathetic: Here's Why it Matters
Key Highlights:
- The language we use around mental health significantly shapes perceptions; some words can reinforce bias and shame and discourage people from seeking help.
- Shifting to more respectful language supports a broader cultural move toward acceptance and understanding.
- Using empathetic and inclusive language fosters an environment that makes people feel heard and more comfortable seeking support.
Content Warning: Article discusses suicide.
Words have power. They have a profound impact on the way we perceive the world and the actions we take. In recent decades, the words we use to talk about mental health have evolved.
Much of the social stigma, discrimination, and bias often associated with mental health conditions can be tied to the way we talk about them. Using inclusive and respectful language makes a meaningful difference. That’s why we have a collective responsibility to eliminate stereotyping and learn to understand and promote the evolving dialogue associated with mental health, which is informed and led by people with lived experience.
How Language Can Perpetuate Stigma
The use of negative and stigmatizing language can perpetuate bias, discrimination, and judgment and lead to feelings of shame or worthlessness, even when that’s not the intent. This can affect how individuals feel about themselves, what they are willing to share with others, and more importantly, whether they seek help when they need it.
It’s important to acknowledge that the way we express our collective points of view on disability or illness can influence the degree to which people experiencing it feel safe and accepted.
In recent years, for example, more and more people and news organizations are using the phrase “died by suicide” instead of “committed” suicide. This is a move in the right direction because it removes blame from the individual. Speaking about “substance use disorder,” which promotes healing and recovery, has become the norm, rather than “abuse” and “addiction,” which invites blame.
Awareness has grown for the value of dismantling stigma. From professional athletes and celebrities speaking about their own mental health concerns to companies that give their associates extra time off for self-care and wellness days, it’s become more common and accepted that taking care of mental health is just as important as taking care of physical health.
Inclusive Language Can Make Asking for Help Easier
A word that gets used a lot in conversation is empathy. Speaking with empathy is a key element of inclusive language. When someone thoughtfully uses words that relate to how someone else is feeling, they display empathy. And empathy leads to people feeling heard and validated. When it comes to mental health, people are more likely to share how they are feeling and what they are experiencing if they know they will be greeted with empathy rather than judgment.
For those who’ve ever wondered what they can do to be more inclusive and help people feel more accepted, maybe even prevent suicide attempts, keep in mind that listening and being present for others can help. Talking about it
Sources:
https://mhanational.org/resources/person-centered-language/
https://wellbeings.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Well-Beings_Language-Guide_FINAL_111821.pdf
https://www.nih.gov/nih-style-guide/person-first-destigmatizing-language
https://educationresourcesinc.com/person-first-vs-identity-first-language/
— with a compassionate mindset — can also make a difference. When we use empathetic and person-centered, inclusive language to discuss mental health, we begin to create an environment that makes it easier for all of us to talk about what we experience and to ask for help when needed.
Elevance Health has partnered with Mental Health America to recognize Mental Health Month in May and to support the shared goal of helping people have more good days, together. This theme reminds us to think about the words we use when speaking about mental health so we can better support each other.