Stigma and the words we use
Submitted by Mental Health Estrie staff
May 4 through 10 is Mental Health Week, a week devoted to reducing the stigma of mental illness and promoting the mental health of all Canadians. Initiated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in 1951, 2020 marks the 69th year of this annual awareness campaign. Now, more than ever, we are experiencing an increase in mental health issues such as heightened anxiety, extended periods of isolation and waves of grief and loss. We were pleased to hear that in their briefing Wednesday May 6, Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Security Geneviève Guilbault and Minister of Health Danielle Mccann announced a $31 million investment for mental health initiatives to further help Quebecers living with mental health issues, which have increased as a result of the pandemic.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) highlights that by the age of 40, 50 per cent of Canadians will have or have had a mental health problem at some point in their lives and one in five will experience a mental illness in a given year. With stress and anxiety on the rise, it is crucial that we work together to fight the stigma attached to mental illness and promote the mental health and well-being of our fellow community members. In recent years, there has been a great deal of attention given to the language we use, and its impact on people living with a mental health problem. In their guidebook titled “Language Matters,” the MHCC reminds us that combatting stigma begins with the words we use, and that the way we communicate can send subtle messages that can have a powerful effect. The wrong kind of language can add to the rejection and challenges people living with a mental illness face, whereas using accurate and respectful language can help convey acceptance and understanding.
How can you contribute to fighting stigma? Be mindful of the words you use. Move away from language that defines the person as the illness and move towards language that is more inclusive. MHCC recommends using “person-first language” which de-emphasizes the illness, disability, or condition and focuses instead on the individual. For instance:
use “a person living with a mental illness” instead of “mental patient, psycho, crazy”;
use “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide”;
use “person with a lived experience of mental illness” instead of “person is insane”;
use “a person experiencing psychosis” instead of “a psychotic”.
use “person who lives with schizophrenia” instead of “person is schizophrenic”;
use “person who lives with bipolar disorder” instead of “person is bipolar, or person is manic.”
In honour of Mental Health Week 2020 and thereafter, we invite you to join us in the fight against stigma. Together we can make a difference and it starts with our choice of words.
“Words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well.” – Robin Sharma
Mental Health Estrie (MHE) is a non-profit community organisation committed to providing information, support, education and advocacy to English-speaking families and individuals in Estrie impacted by mental illness. Services are currently available remotely by phone (819-565-3777) and email (mhe.info@bellnet.ca). We invite you to “like” our Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/mentalhealthestrie/ for updates and links to articles, guides and ideas for coping strategies or visit our website at www.mentalhealthestrie.com. To consult the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s document “Language Matters,” visit https://www. mhfa.ca/sites/default/files/safer_language_reference_guide.pdf
To learn more about Mental Health Week 2020, visit https://mentalhealthweek.ca/