5 Simple Ways to Improve Our Discussion of Mental Illnesses
February 17, 2021
As we break down the stigma around mental illnesses, there are 5 simple ways we can avoid negative labels and stereotypes in our discussion of mental illnesses. Even if the person we are talking to or talking about is not offended or put-off by our choice of words, these best practices for discussing mental illnesses are well-researched and currently widely accepted in Western culture. While it may seem trivial to ask that you refrain from talking about a population in a certain way, it is the first step in being more compassionate, informed, and respectful in our conversation.
1. Instead of: Equate people with their mental health status. People aren’t OCD, bipolar, or schizo. However, there are people with OCD and people with bipolar disorder and people with schizophrenia. Consider this analogy: a person is not eyebrows. They have eyebrows. Having a mental illness does not define us; it is not our identity (if we don’t want it to be). Using person-centered language helps us to focus on the individual, their life, their goals, and their personality instead of defining them by their symptoms, illness, or disability. A template for talking this way is “She has ______ (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.), not “She is _____ (bipolar, schizo).
It may be important to note that when using person-centered language, speaking about the autistic community is an exception. Most “people with autism” actually prefer to be referred to as autistic because the condition is permanent and therefore is associated as part of their identity. If unsure how to refer to someone when talking about them in relation to their condition or illness, it is more polite to ask than to assume. If anyone reading has any of the above listed conditions and does not appreciate being referred to using person-centered language, we respect however you associate your health with your identity and do not intend to imply that your preferred label is wrong.
Try this: Ask the person how they like to refer to their condition or opt for person-centered language.
2. Instead of: Use the terms “commit suicide,” or “failed/successful attempt.” The term “committed suicide” goes back to a time when taking your own life was considered a crime. People commit crimes. Additionally, attempts at suicide are neither successful nor failed. A successful attempt (or completion of suicide) implies that the act was a victory, a favourable outcome or accomplishment. Conversely, a failed attempt or incomplete suicide implies that they did not try hard enough. These words may seem so trivial, and yet they can carry a substantial amount of unintended meaning and come across as incredibly insensitive.
Try this: Use language such as “died by suicide,” “took their own life,” “is suicidal,” or “attempted suicide.”
3. Instead of: use terms reserved for clinical mental health disorders to describe individual idiosyncrasies or common behaviour. For example, we often hear, “She’s so OCD…” or “That’s so depressing.” The term “OCD” is often synonymous with being extremely neat, “bipolar” with being moody, “depressed” with experiencing sadness,“phobic” with having a minor fear, “ADHD” with being energetic or distractable, “psycho” or “schizo” with being wild, violent, or strange, and more. These terms actually refer to debilitating conditions. The use of these words in a flippant, joking manner takes away from the seriousness of each condition.
Try this: Reserve diagnostic terms only for discussions of the mental health conditions that they describe.
4. Instead of: Refer to behaviour as being “normal.” There is no standardized measure for normalcy. “Normal” behaviour is subjective. Your normal does not match my normal, and your normal today may not match your normal in 5 years.
Try this: Use the terms “typical” or “usual” as these are more objective and less critical.
5. Instead of: Use your fear of saying something wrong or offensive as a reason to not talk at all. How will we know what language feels right and what doesn’t if we don’t talk at all? Ask questions: “How would you like to refer to your illness?” “Would you prefer that I say ___ or ___?” Listen more: Be open-minded to hearing about the person’s experience and how it may differ from your conceptualization of what the mental illness should look or sound like. Listen for how the person describes themselves in relation to their condition and use the words that they use in order to make them feel comfortable and understood.
Try this: Ask More, Listen More, Do More.
Written by Coral Blaikie