How inclusive language at work affects mental health

It may seem like a harmless figure of speech or creative, clever hyperbole, but misusing mental health language can be harmful and non-inclusive. We’ve all heard it, maybe even said it:

The use of mental health language to describe everyday—and sometimes undesirable—behaviors trivializes and stigmatizes the real-life experience of people living with a mental health disorder.

Mental health language is an important consideration in building inclusive workplaces. Here are five considerations to keep in mind:

1. Mental health disorders are more prevalent than you might think.

According to the 2019 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, an estimated 20% of adults in the U.S. live with a mental health disorder (51.5 million).

That means that one in five people you know, meet or encounter might be living with a mental health disorder—and you have a one in five chance of making someone feel uncomfortable, alienated or offended with non-inclusive mental health language.

2. We react to words without realizing it.