Our Words Matter

Talking About Mental Health

Words can help and heal, or hurt and hinder. They can make things clear, or confusing. The right words can encourage more people to seek help and to offer support.

Why 'Mental Fitness'?

The way we communicate about mental health can have a powerful impact. At Gotcha4Life, we talk about ‘mental fitness’ rather than ‘mental health’.

The term ‘mental health’ resonates with some people, and it can be confusing and feel overwhelming, or irrelevant to others. We have found that it can carry some negative connotations. Sometimes it can be loaded with assumptions, and that can stop people seeking help when they need it. That’s also why we advocate for the use of non-judgmental language that avoids stereotypes and reduces harm and stigma.

The reality is, we all have mental health – just as we all have physical health. Just as our physical health exists along a continuum, our mental health also spans a range from thriving and feeling mentally fit to moments of challenge and growth.

We inspire and support people to take action to build their mental fitness, just like they would their physical fitness. We believe this is one effective way to encourage regular attention to proactively building mental health.

Everyday expressions

People have been using words around mental health in negative ways for a very long time.

We might not mean to cause hurt, but our language can have a negative impact on people with a lived experience of mental health challenges. 

Here are some common examples:

And here are some more neutral ways to say the same thing:

And here are some more neutral ways to say the same thing:

A better way to say it

When you understand why certain language can harm and hurt, it is easier to avoid using it.

Problematic

Why?

What to say instead?

‘mental patient’, ‘nut job’, ‘lunatic’, ‘psycho’, ‘mad’

Sensationalises mental ill-health and reinforces stigma

A person is ‘living with’ or ‘has a diagnosis of a mental illness’

Someone is a ‘victim of mental illness’ or ‘suffering from mental illness’

Suggests people with mental ill-health lack quality of life

The person is ‘being treated for’ or is ‘someone with’ a mental illness

Someone is ’a schizophrenic’ or ‘an anorexic’

Labels the person by their mental illness

They ‘have a diagnosis of’ or are ‘being treated for’ schizophrenia or anorexia

‘crazed’, ‘deranged’, ‘mad’, ‘psychotic’

Implies mental health issues when describing people’s behaviour

Their behaviour was erratic or very unusual

‘Happy pills’, ‘shrink’, ‘mental institution’, ‘funny farm’

Undermines people’s willingness to seek help by using colloquial language to describe treatment

Use accurate terminology for treatment, such as antidepressant, psychiatrist, mental health hospital

Problematic

‘mental patient’, ‘nut job’, ‘lunatic’, ‘psycho’, ‘mad’

Why?

Sensationalises mental ill-health and reinforces stigma

What to say instead?

A person is living with or has a diagnosis of a mental illness

Problematic

Someone is a ‘victim of mental illness’ or ‘suffering from mental illness’

Why?

Suggests people with mental ill-health lack quality of life

What to say instead?

The person is ‘being treated for’ or is ‘someone with’ a mental illness

Problematic

Someone is ’a schizophrenic’ or ‘an anorexic’

Why?

Labels the person by their mental illness

What to say instead?

They ‘have a diagnosis of’ or are ‘being treated for’ schizophrenia or anorexia

Problematic

‘crazed’, ‘deranged’, ‘mad’, psychotic’

Why?

Implies mental health issues when describing people’s behaviour

What to say instead?

Their behaviour was erratic or very unusual

Problematic

‘Happy pills’, ‘shrink’, ‘mental institution’, ‘funny farm’

Why?

Undermines people’s willingness to seek help by using colloquial language to describe treatment

What to say instead?

Use accurate terminology for treatment, such as antidepressant, psychiatrist, mental health hospital

Communicating about suicide

The words we use to describe suicide are important. Insensitive or inappropriate language around suicide can increase the stigma around it, stop people seeking help and make grief worse for those affected by it.

Avoid saying ‘committed suicide’ or ‘attempted to commit suicide’ . This stigmatising language comes from a time when suicide was treated as a crime. Avoid referring to suicide attempts as ‘successful or unsuccessful’, as this can present suicide as a desirable outcome.
Instead, say ‘died by suicide’, ‘took their own life, or ‘attempted to take their life’. 
Remember, support is always available. If you or someone you care about is in crisis, you can call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14

Help Someone You Care About

A conversation with someone you’re worried about can make all the difference and help them feel they’re not alone.

We’ll let you know as soon as it’s available!

Please check your email for a copy of your results.

 You can also find a copy of your results under my gym profile

Mental Fitness Check-in

Our mental fitness check-in takes around 3 minutes and will give you a better understanding of your mental fitness strengths, and tools that might help you become more mentally fit.