To mark Mental Health Awareness Week this year, we’ve teamed up with mental health CIC, WarriorKind to highlight the importance of helpful language on mental health.
Throughout the week, we’ll be encouraging everyone to make an active effort to continue educating themselves on mental health and illnesses and to be mindful of the language they use – because words are powerful.
Harmful language can really exacerbate stigma. It slowly and subtly builds up a layer of tolerance, which can then lead to misconceptions and negative attitudes towards people experiencing mental illnesses. A casual comment that you may think is harmless, may actually be the thing that stops them from seeking the help they need.
Today we’re talking about suicide and what you should and shouldn’t say.
Don’t say:
‘Committed suicide’ or ‘commit suicide’
Why not?
This dates back to when suicide and attempts of suicide were against the law and may still create misconceptions and stigma with inaccurate and dated links to crime, sin and social alienation.
Instead, you should say:
‘Died by suicide’ or ‘ended his/her/their own life’
Don’t say:
‘Unsuccessful suicide’
Why not?
To avoid presenting suicide as a desired outcome or glamourising a suicide attempt.
Instead, you should say:
‘Non-fatal’ or ‘made an attempt on his/her/their life’
Don’t say:
‘Successful suicide’
Why not?
To avoid presenting suicide as a desired outcome.
Instead, you should say:
‘Took their own life’, ‘died by suicide’ or ‘ended their own life’
Don’t say:
‘Suicide epidemic’
Why not?
To avoid sensationalism and inaccuracy.
Instead, you should say:
‘Concerning rates of suicide’
Remember:
People who are vulnerable to suicide, or bereaved by suicide, can be particularly impacted by language. Also consider using terms like ‘survivor’ or even better, ‘warrior’ instead of ‘victim’.
Speaking about their latest campaign, WarriorKind CEO, Sarah Drage said, “Harmful language can really exacerbate stigma. It slowly and subtly builds up a layer of tolerance, which can then lead to misconceptions and negative attitudes towards people experiencing mental illnesses.
Research shows that many people who experience symptoms of mental ill-health won’t seek professional clinical help because of the stigma attached to mental illness and the fear of being misunderstood. Here at WarriorKind, we hope that our latest campaign will go a long way to helping quash the stigma once and for all.”
For information and support, WarriorKind’s website provides a safe space to discuss mental health experiences with others and access help and support.
Throughout Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ll also be covering self-harm, peri/postnatal mental illness, eating disorder, alcohol use disorder and illness anxiety disorder.
