Research has long explored the impact of labels on social attitudes and perception. In psychology and sociology, research on labelling has examined how the words and categories we use to describe people can influence how others understand and respond to them. Put simply, the words we choose can shape the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world around us. This is a topic I've studied and researched throughout much of my academic journey, which makes it particularly close to home.
From my own perspective, our community has come a long way in how we talk about mental health. Its importance is more openly recognized, conversations are becoming more welcome, and seeking support is gradually becoming less taboo. A big part of Talk Techniques' mission is to contribute to this shift by encouraging more thoughtful, open dialogue around wellbeing.
Given the weight that our words can carry, this is a gentle reminder to be more mindful of the language we use when talking about mental health. What might seem like a harmless joke to one person can reinforce stigma for another. Research has found that the label of mental illness can influence how people respond socially, with studies showing greater rejection of people described as mentally ill than of people displaying identical behaviour but described as having a physical illness (Socall & Holtgraves, 1992). Another study has shown how perceptions of dangerousness can contribute to negative attitudes and a greater desire for social distance, particularly towards people with schizophrenia (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2003).
These findings make us think about the language we use in everyday conversations. Words like crazy or irrational when describing a mental illness can dismiss someone's experience, while describing someone as unreligious in the context of seeking mental health support can attach moral judgement to an experience that deserves care and understanding. These examples are not just about choosing gentler words; they are about the assumptions and attitudes that our words can communicate.
The language we use does is not the sole determining factor of how someone will feel, but it can influence how they understand their experiences and how others respond to them. Choosing words that encourage understanding rather than judgement is one small, but meaningful, way we can help make conversations about mental health feel safer. Just as we would not want someone to feel ashamed of seeking treatment for a physical health concern, we should be mindful of the language that can make seeking support for mental health feel shameful.
Of course, we have some agency in how we interpret and respond to the conversations around us. We cannot control every word we hear, nor can we predict how our words will land with someone else. But we can be more deliberate about the language we use, the assumptions we reinforce, and the space we create for others to speak openly about what they're experiencing.
Sometimes, that starts with a simple question:
What do we overlook when we define someone by a single word?
At Talk Techniques, we believe that the conversations we have, with ourselves and one another, are worth approaching with a little more thought and care. If this serves as a reminder to pause before using a label, approach someone's experience with greater understanding, or make one conversation feel a little easier to have, then that's a meaningful place to start.
Talk Soon,
Sources
Angermeyer, M. C., & Matschinger, H. (2003). The stigma of mental illness: Effects of labelling on public attitudes towards people with mental disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 108(4), 304–309. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00150.x
Martin, J. K., Pescosolido, B. A., & Tuch, S. A. (2000). Of fear and loathing: The role of “disturbing behavior,” labels, and causal attributions in shaping public attitudes toward people with mental illness. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 41(2). https://doi.org/10.2307/2676306
Socall, D. W., & Holtgraves, T. (1992). Attitudes toward the mentally ill: The effects of label and beliefs. The Sociological Quarterly, 33(3), 435–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1992.tb00383.x
Bernburg, J. G. (2009). Labeling theory. In Handbook on crime and deviance (pp. 187–207). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0245-0_10