Rephrasing the wellness mission
Words have power. In the field of mental health, this is even truer. Which is why a new movement is urging mental wellness practitioners and influencers to avoid terms that can feel aggressive and stressful. Avoid “trauma”, “anxiety”, “toxicity”. Even “purpose” and “self-actualisation” put pressure on the listener. Move away from talk of “goals”, “action” and “doing the work”, towards an emphasis on empathy, compassion and kindness to self and others. Especially in times such as the present, the #MindPositivity movement advocates, it is important to acknowledge that it is enough just to be making it through each day.
The movement began as a series of New Year resolutions and over four months has urged a shift towards terms of affirmation.
“It is important to use words that help us come to terms with our emotions in a constructive manner. Phrases such as ‘sit with your feelings’, ‘embrace your thoughts’, ‘accept yourself’ can go a long way towards creating a sense of acknowledgement and validation of the self,” says Farhana Muna, 32, a mental health advocate and Instagram influencer who posts as @farhanamuna and has over 43,000 followers.
“We cannot stop using terms such as “toxic” and “trauma” altogether. Doing that would downplay what some people have been or are going through. But we can use these terms very cautiously, and try to use language that weeds out self-doubt.”
Language is a reflection of how we perceive our relationships with others and ourselves, says Ushri Banerjee, a clinical psychologist and faculty at Calcutta University. The aim should be betterment. Given that linguistic activism has helped promote gender-neutral terms and moderate language used for those with mental illness, this could also be a first step in a larger shift.
Stand-up comic and influencer Daniel Fernandes says moderating language could help prevent inappropriate use too.He posts as @absolutelydanny on Instagram, where he has 60,000 followers and often discusses his journey with clinical depression.
“Words such as ‘toxic’ and ‘trauma’ can’t be used loosely and yet they often are,” he says. “A movement focused on shifts in language could help recognise real struggles with mental wellness.” People must also remember, he adds, that although social media makes you feel seen and heard, it is never a substitute for therapy.