Say This Not This Speaking About Mental Health Nami Ca

Leo Migdal

-Dec 8, 2025, 7:12 PM

say this not this speaking about mental health nami ca

Words matter. The language we use day to day when talking about mental health can either uplift our communities or unintentionally cause harm. A few simple shifts in how we speak — both in everyday conversation and public communications — can make a big difference in supporting people living with mental illness and breaking down stigma. Here are some examples of what to say and not to say when referencing mental health or mental illness in our daily lives Let’s stop defining people by mental illness. Mental health conditions and mental illnesses are something a person experiences or lives with — they are not who the person is.

To combat this, use person-first language when speaking about someone who is experiencing or living with a mental illness. Let’s be more kind and accepting and stop spreading toxic positivity. Words matter. Language we use in our verbal and written communications can be supportive or hurtful to those impacted by mental health conditions. A few simple changes to the way we communicate can support those living with mental health conditions and help end stigma. A few shifts: we can be more kind and accepting with the things we say, we can stop defining people by their mental health conditions, and we can stop minimizing the experiences of those...

Here are some examples of what to say — and not to say — about mental health. Say This: She lives with bipolar disorder; he lives with schizophrenia; my friend lives with OCD.Not This: She’s bipolar; he’s a schizophrenic; my OCD friend. Say This: Your feelings are valid. I’m here to listen.Not This: Good vibes only! Why don’t you focus on the positive? Say This: What you’re going through is difficult.

I’m here for you.Not This: It could be worse. You could try harder to get over it. Say This: I can see you’re having a hard time. I’m here for you.Not This: Just relax. Explore the different options for supporting NAMI's mission. Call our HelpLine at 800-950-6264, text 'NAMI' to 62640, or email.

In a crisis, call or text 988. Find out how you can be a NAMI HelpLine specialist. Call our HelpLine at 800-950-6264, text 'NAMI' to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988. Find your closest NAMI State or Local Affiliate. SAY THIS, NOT THIS: SPEAKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH From NAMI California: Words matter.

Language we use in our verbal and written communications can be supportive or hurtful to those impacted by mental health conditions. A few simple changes to the way we communicate can support those living with mental health conditions and help end stigma. A few shifts: we can be more kind and accepting with the things we say, we can stop defining people by their mental health conditions, and we can stop minimizing the experiences of those... Here are some examples of what to say — and not to say — about mental health. Let’s stop defining people by mental health conditions. Say This: She lives with bipolar disorder; he lives with schizophrenia; my friend lives with OCD.

Not This: She’s bipolar; he’s a schizophrenic; my OCD friend. Let’s be more kind and accepting and stop spreading toxic positivity. Say This: Your feelings are valid. I’m here to listen. Not This: Good vibes only! Why don’t you focus on the positive?

Say This: What you’re going through is difficult. I’m here for you. Not This: It could be worse. You could try harder to get over it. Let’s stop minimizing mental health conditions. Say This: The weather has been unpredictable.

Not This: The weather is so bipolar. Say This: I spent all day cleaning my house. Not This: I was so OCD this weekend, I spent all day cleaning my house. Say This: I’m having a hard time paying attention. Not This: I’m so ADD right now. Say This: That’s so surprising/unpredictable.

Not This: That’s so crazy/insane/mental. Say This: That was embarrassing. Not This: It was so embarrassing, I wanted to kill myself! Say This: I can see you’re having a hard time. I’m here for you. Not This: Just relax.

Let’s reframe the way we speak about suicide. Say This: He died by suicide or he ended his life; it was an attempted suicide. Not This: He committed suicide; it was an unsuccessful suicide. — Stef McDonald https://lnkd.in/eRmSNk_Z Person-First means using language to recognize a person’s experience with mental health as only part of them as a person, and not the whole. “Person living with schizophrenia.”“My brother living with OCD.”“She is a person recovering from addiction.”

“A schizophrenic.”“My OCD brother.”“She is an addict.” Practice normalizing what someone is going through and not minimizing, downplaying, or judging their experience with mental health. When we normalize these experiences, we can help people open up more. “It’s understandable to be feeling down with everything going on.”“What you’re going through is challenging.“ /*<![CDATA[*/ function initializeGoogleTranslateElement() { new google.translate.TranslateElement({ autoDisplay: false, pageLanguage: "en", floatPosition: google.translate.TranslateElement.FloatPosition.TOP_LEFT, includedLanguages: "ar,zh-CN,en,tl,fr,de,hmn,it,ja,ko,lo,fa,pl,pa,ru,es,th,vi" }); } /*]]>*/ T.

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©2025 NAMI California, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Words matter. Language we use in our verbal and written communications can be supportive or hurtful to those impacted by mental health conditions. A few simple changes to the way we communicate can support those living with mental health conditions and help end stigma.

Say This Not This Speaking About Mental Health Nami Ca

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