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. 

Say this: 

• She lives with bipolar disorder. 

• He lives with schizophrenia. 

• They are experiencing PTSD. 

• My friend lives with OCD. 

Not this: 

• She’s bipolar. 

• He’s a schizophrenic. 

• She has PTSD. 

• My OCD friend. 

 

Let’s be more kind and accepting and stop spreading toxic positivity. 

It’s okay to not always know the right thing to say, but offering empathy and validation is always better than toxic positivity. 

Say this: 

• Your feelings are valid. I’m here to listen. 

• What you’re going through is difficult. I’m here for you. 

• I can see you’re having a hard time. I’m here for you. 

 

Not this: 

• Good vibes only! 

• Why don’t you just focus on the positive? 

• It could be worse. 

• You could try harder to get over it. 

• Just relax. 

 

Let’s stop minimizing or diminishing the impact of mental illnesses. 

Casual or joking references to serious conditions — like saying you’re “so OCD” or “so bipolar” — can minimize the real struggles people face. 

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. 

 

Say this: 

• I’m having a hard time focusing. 

Not this: 

• It’s like I’m ADHD right now. 

 

Say this: 

• That’s so surprising or 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. 

 

Let’s reframe the way we talk about suicide. 

Language around suicide should be respectful and avoid judgment. “Committed” implies crime or sin — instead, use neutral terms. 

Say this: 

• He died by suicide. 

• It was an attempted suicide. 

• They were experiencing suicidal ideation / suicidal thoughts. 

Not this: 

• He committed suicide / he killed himself. 

• It was an unsuccessful suicide. 

• They wanted to kill themselves.

Community Voices: What Support Sounds Like 

We asked our community to share supportive things they’ve heard or said to someone facing mental health challenges. Here are some of their answers: 

“I’m here to listen.”
“I might not understand fully what you’re going through, but I’m here for you.”
“It’s just like any other condition — diabetes, heart conditions, etc.”
“I know it’s hard to imagine, but it can get better — and there are treatments that can make a difference.”
“We are all in this together.”
“I hear you and I’m here for you.”
“Stay strong, you belong.” 

With small shifts in language, we can create a more compassionate, inclusive world for everyone affected by mental health conditions. Let’s choose words that support, not stigmatize.