Words have power

Brown scrabble tiles with black capital letters reading choose your words.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

People living with psychosocial disabilities face a higher likelihood of unemployment, only 26% of those with mental illnesses are employed (source: aph.org.au). The presence of stigma significantly contributes to the employment challenges experienced by individuals living with mental health issues.

Stigma thrives where there is a lack of understanding or misinformation. Media outlets play a crucial role in alleviating or perpetuating stigma by depicting inaccurate stereotypes and using demeaning or hostile language.

A recent news article, I read used terms like 'demons' and 'escape from hospital,' I was particularly disheartening in its reinforcement of stigmatising language.

There is no justification for employing ignorant and stigmatising language. Recognising the impact of our words, guidelines for language use have been developed by Mindframe and EverymindAU and experts with lived experiences.

These guidelines aim to facilitate safer communication, both personally and professionally, on topics related to mental health, ill-health, self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, and substance use.

You can take action when coming across harmful, misinformation-spreading, and stigmatising articles. Reporting such instances to SANE Stigma Watch, a
collaboration between SANE and Mindframe can contribute to
combating stigma.

In my commitment to more inclusive and informed conversation,
I will be sure to do this in the future before closing any articles that evoke
disgust.

https://lnkd.in/gFA5nKnW https://lnkd.in/gZecMEM7

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