The Power of Language: Reframing Mental Health Discussions
Language is not merely a tool for communication; it shapes perceptions, influences thoughts, and molds understanding of the world. In the realm of mental health, the words chosen carry immense power—they can stigmatize or empower, alienate or include, diminish or uplift. As society strives for a more nuanced and compassionate approach to mental health, it's crucial to examine and reimagine the language used in these discussions. This critical examination of language aligns with the mission of Mad & Crip Theology Press, which is committed to working with language to challenge stigma, promote inclusion, and reframe narratives around mental health and disability.
Every time I (Amy) teach the course Mental Health and Christian Theology at Emmanuel College in Toronto, we watch Jennifer Poole's TED Talk on Sanism together. During our discussion time, students usually say they didn't realize how much they use language that can be hurtful to some members of the Mad community. I try to encourage them to remain curious about language going forward.
The Impact of Language in Mental Health Contexts
The language surrounding mental health has long been dominated by medical and clinical terminology. While these terms serve important functions in diagnostic and treatment contexts, they can also contribute to stigma and oversimplification of complex human experiences when used carelessly in everyday discourse. As Margaret Price argues in "Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life," the language of mental health diagnosis often serves to "other" individuals, creating a false dichotomy between "normal" and "abnormal" minds.[1] This linguistic division can lead to real-world consequences, including discrimination, social isolation, and internalized stigma.
Reclaiming and Redefining Terms
One powerful strategy in reframing mental health discussions is the reclamation of language. Terms once used pejoratively are being embraced and redefined by individuals within the mad community. For instance, the word "mad" itself, long used as a dismissive or derogatory term, has been reclaimed as an identity and a rallying point for activism and pride. Similarly, some individuals choose to refer to themselves as "consumers" or "survivors" of mental health services, rather than "patients," signalling a shift in power dynamics and self-perception. These acts of linguistic reclamation serve not only to destigmatize experiences of mental distress but also to assert agency and challenge dominant narratives.
Person-First vs. Identity-First Language
A significant debate in mental health discourse revolves around the use of person-first language (e.g., "person with schizophrenia") versus identity-first language (e.g., "schizophrenic person"). While person-first language aims to emphasize the individual's humanity over their diagnosis, some argue that identity-first language can be a powerful tool for reclamation and pride. The key is to recognize that preferences vary among individuals and communities. As mental health advocate and writer Sera Davidow notes, "The words we use to describe ourselves and our experiences are deeply personal and political."[2] Respecting an individual's chosen language is an essential part of creating inclusive and empowering mental health discussions.
Moving Beyond the Binary
Traditional mental health language often reinforces a binary view: one is either mentally ill or mentally healthy. This oversimplification fails to capture the complex and fluid nature of mental well-being. Instead, language that reflects a spectrum of experiences and acknowledges that mental health is not a fixed state but a dynamic aspect of the human condition can be adopted.
For example, rather than labeling someone as "mentally ill," it might be more appropriate to describe specific experiences or challenges they're facing. Instead of saying someone is "normal," it's important to recognize that all minds are unique and that there is no single standard of mental health.
Emphasizing Strengths and Resilience
The language of mental health has historically focused on deficits, symptoms, and cure. While it's important to acknowledge challenges, an exclusive focus on the negative can be disempowering. By incorporating language that recognizes strengths, resilience, and lived expertise, a more balanced and empowering narrative can be created. For instance, instead of describing someone as "suffering from bipolar disorder," one might say they are "living with bipolar disorder" or they "have a bipolar diagnosis." This subtle shift acknowledges the challenge while also implying agency and resilience.
Cultural Competence in Language
It's crucial to recognize that concepts of mental health and the language used to describe them vary across cultures. What might be considered a symptom of mental illness in one culture could be viewed as a spiritual experience or a normal reaction to stress in another. Developing cultural competence in mental health language involves being aware of these differences, avoiding assumptions, and being open to diverse ways of understanding and describing mental health experiences.
The Role of Metaphor
Metaphors play a significant role in how mental health is conceptualized and discussed. Common metaphors like "chemical imbalance" or "broken brain" can oversimplify complex experiences and reinforce a purely biological understanding of mental health. While these metaphors can be helpful in some contexts, it's important to expand the repertoire of metaphors to capture the multifaceted nature of mental health experiences. Alternative metaphors might draw from ecology (mental health as an ecosystem), physics (mental health as a dynamic equilibrium), or social sciences (mental health as shaped by social and environmental factors).
Conclusion: A Call for Mindful Language
Reframing mental health discussions through language is not about political correctness or censorship. Rather, it's about creating space for more nuanced, respectful, and empowering conversations about the diverse experiences of human minds. Moving forward, it is important for us to listen to and respect how individuals and communities choose to describe their own experiences, challenge stigmatizing language when encountered, expand our vocabulary to capture the complexity of mental health experiences and recognize the power of words and use them thoughtfully. By paying attention to the language used, it's possible to contribute to a more inclusive, compassionate, and accurate discourse around mental health. In doing so, not only are conversations changed—minds, attitudes, and ultimately, lives can be changed for the better.
[1]: Margaret Price, Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2011), 9.
[2]: Sera Davidow, "The Language We Use: The Power of Our Words in Shaping Reality," Mad In America, accessed August 11, 2024, https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/03/language-use-power-words-shaping-reality/.
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