How We Talk About Things Matters
“This has an impact on us. It’s not about a theoretical person who isn’t human or part of the community. You’re talking about real human beings.”
The Cycle of Language and Discrimination/Stigma…
What we say and how we say it reflects what we think. How we talk about people with mental health or substance use health issues can either combat discrimination or it can reinforce stereotypes that have real impacts in people’s lives. Below is a graphic that shows how this cycle occurs.
Whether it is linking mental health to crime or making assumptions about people’s willingness to access supports, many public debates and community conversations repeat entrenched assumptions about people with mental health or substance use health issues, often unintentionally.
If we want to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use, we have to challenge these ideas by being thoughtful about how we say things and what our words represent. This is how we can interrupt the cycle and reframe how we say and think about things.
What can you do?
Whenever possible, you can re-frame how you or others think and talk about people with mental health or substance use health issues in our communities. For example:
Instead of assuming people with mental health and substance use health issues are dangerous or unsafe…
Try this re-frame: People with mental health or substance use health issues are not inherently dangerous and they also have a right to live safely in their community.
It’s a discriminatory myth that people with mental health or substance use health issues are inherently dangerous or violent. People with mental disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence than to perpetrate it.
Instead of assuming people with mental health and substance use health issues cause perceived increases in crime…
Try this re-frame: People with mental health or substance use health issues are often blamed for perceived increases in crime without any basis for it.
If people do commit crimes, it is because they are often criminalized for trying to meet their basic needs because of a lack of access to safe and appropriate health supports, drug policy, structural poverty, racism, and trauma.
Instead of assuming people with mental health and substance use health issues are unwilling to or incapable of getting help…
Try this re-frame: Assuming people do not have the capacity to seek help ignores the fact that safe, accessible, non-discriminatory help is often not available. These assumptions reflect discriminatory assumptions and often lead to suggesting solutions that come with serious human rights impacts with no apparent attempts to include those experiencing marginalization in deciding what is “best” for them.
We need to offer people individualized choices to support their wellness before assuming they will not access service voluntarily.
Instead of assuming people with mental health and substance use health issues are nuisances, burdens on services, or problems…
Try this re-frame: Everyone should have access to safe housing, bathrooms, cultural supports, and health and harm reduction services. When these rights are not respected, there are consequences for individuals and for communities.
Unmet fundamental needs like access to housing, health services, and safe drug supply lead to issues like blocked sidewalks, garbage, or drug paraphernalia. The people experiencing these lack of services suffer far greater consequences than those who might feel it creates nuisance or those who feel uncomfortable witnessing it.
“When you experience it all the time, you get desensitized to it. You start to believe you deserve to be treated like this.”
We have an obligation to people with mental health or substance use health issues to think critically about how we think and talk about them and their needs. Working to challenge these stereotypes and discriminatory assumptions will allow us to listen and centre people with lived and living experience as experts in their own lives and what will support our communities.
Take Action
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