Mental Health Language is Evolving to be More Inclusive and Empathetic: Here's Why it Matters

Content Warning: Article discusses suicide.

Several years ago, I attended a meeting with many senior officers at the Pentagon to discuss issues that were seriously impacting our various military branches. As topics came up, leaders were asked to raise their hands to signify they were the accountable leader responsible for initiatives or programs discussed. As we neared the end of the day-long agenda, the senior general asked who was leading the effort to address the number of service members who had died by suicide in recent years. No hands were raised.

The general paused and stated that all hands should have gone up, reminding us that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention. And one of those roles is to talk about it.

Words have power. They have a profound impact on the way we perceive the world and the actions we take. In the 30 years since I became a physician specializing in mental health, the language we use to describe it has changed dramatically.

Much of the social stigma, discrimination, and bias that is often associated with mental health can be tied to the way we talk about it. Using inclusive and respectful language, also known as “person-first language,” makes a meaningful difference. That’s why everyone has a responsibility to reduce stereotyping and learn to understand and promote the evolving dialogue associated with mental health, which is informed 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 to seek help when they need it.

We must acknowledge that the way we verbalize our collective points of view toward an illness can influence how well we, or anyone else who experiences it, can feel safe and accepted. 

In recent years, I’ve noticed that more and more, people and news organizations are using the term “died by suicide” instead of “committed” suicide. This is a move in the right direction because it removes blame from the individual. The opioid crisis steered our culture to a new way of speaking about “substance use disorder” rather than “abuse” and “addiction,” which are words that invite blame rather than healing and recovery.

Society is beginning to see the value in dismantling stigma. From professional athletes and celebrities speaking out about their mental health concerns to companies like my own who give their associates extra time off for self-care 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.
 

Empathetic language can foster a culture in which asking for help is more commonplace

A word that gets used a lot in conversation lately is empathy. I’d say that empathetic language is also inclusive language. Because when you take care to use words that relate to how someone else is feeling, you have empathy. And empathy leads to people feeling heard and validated. In my many years working in the field of mental health, I have noticed that people are more likely to share a challenging experience when they know they will be greeted with empathy rather than judgment.

If you ever wonder what you can do to reduce stigma and help prevent suicide, keep in mind that talking about it—with an inclusive mindset—can help. When we use empathetic and 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.