To help reduce the stigma of mental health conditions, the words we used in our daily conversations can help with supporting those with mental health conditions. Using terms related to a mental health diagnosis to describe a temporary mood or an everyday behavior minimizes the seriousness of this diagnosis and its true impact on the individual’s daily life. Examples of supportive terminology as described in The Inclusive Language Handbook by Jackie Ferguson and Roxanne Bellamy (p. 33) can be found in the table below:
| Less inclusive | more inclusive | Here's why |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) | - Neurodivergent - A person with ADHD | Saying a person “is ADHD” makes this medical condition the single defining trait of their identity and minimizes their personhood. |
| Anorexic/Bulimic | A person with an eating disorder | Anorexia and bulimia are psychological disorders. These terms should only be used in a valid medical context. Referring to a person as anorexic/bulimic to describe their physicality is a negative judgement that minimizes their personhood. Never assume why a person’s body looks the way it does. |
| - Crazy - Nuts - Maniac - Lunatic - Insane - Deranged - Psycho - Demented | - Surprising - Wild - Shocking - Absurd - Exciting - Unreal - Amazing - Wonderful - Remarkable - Extraordinary | Using derogatory terms to describe behavior that is surprising or unexpected minimizes and stigmatizes the impacts of real mental health conditions. |
| - Depressed - OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) - PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) | - Sad - Organized, particular - Traumatized, fearful, has bad memories | Don't use the terms depression, OCD, PTSD or any other mental health diagnosis to casually describe someone's occasional moods or behavior |
Using people-first language acknowledges that there is more to individuals than their mental health diagnosis and that this diagnosis is one aspect of their whole identity. Using respectful and supportive terminology helps individuals feel safe, seen and understood while also creating a welcoming environment.
