Safer Language

At Jack.org, we're all about staying true to our mission and values when it comes to working with youth and stakeholders. When delivering mental health promotion education, it is crucial that we prioritize accurate, inclusive, and stigma-free language. 

Person-first language prioritizes the person before the diagnosis, describing what condition a person "has" rather than asserting what a person "is." It focuses on the individual while de-emphasizing the illness, disability, or condition, e.g. a person who lives with schizophrenia. Person-
first language is often preferred when it comes to talking about mental illness.

Some people choose to use identity-first language, which puts the condition first in the description e.g. referring to themselves as a schizophrenic person. How a person chooses to identify is up to them.

Person-first language puts a person before a diagnosis, describing what condition a person "has" rather than asserting what a person "is." It focuses on the individual while de-emphasizing the illness, disability, or condition.

Identity-first language is when a condition is mentioned first, and many people choose this language when describing themselves. Individuals who use identity-first language may be focused on the way their condition has shaped who they are. They may also be working to dispel the idea that there is something wrong with "being" their condition by embracing it and the unique opportunities and abilities that come with it.

How a person chooses to identify is up to them.

• When it comes to mental illness, person-first language is primarily used
• Person-first language is our recommended first choice, unless you know an individual or group describes themselves with identity-first language
• When speaking to someone with lived experience, listen for the language they use or ask them their preferred language if you find it to be appropriate

Language Matters, Mental Health Commission of Canada

Person-First Language and Recovery, Mental Health America

When asking someone about their pronouns, it's crucial to approach the subject in a respectful and safe way. The first step is to establish a comfortable environment where the individual feels at ease sharing their pronouns. This can be achieved by sharing your own pronouns, introducing yourself with your pronouns, or simply asking if they feel comfortable sharing their pronouns. 

It's important to avoid making pronoun sharing a mandatory activity and never force someone to share their pronouns, especially if it could lead to an unsafe situation, such as being outed to an unsafe group of people.

To ensure that everyone feels respected, it's important to acknowledge that a person's pronouns may not align with their perceived gender identity. It's crucial to respect a person's pronoun choices and use them accurately, even if they don't fit into the traditional binary gender system where pronouns like "he" or "she" are used.

Tip: Using gender-neutral pronouns like they/them may take some getting used to, but referring to people by their correct pronouns even when they're not present can help you develop the habit and avoid misgendering someone.

It's important to acknowledge that mistakes can happen when it comes to pronouns. If you use the wrong pronoun, it's important to apologize and correct yourself, and then move on. Avoid making a big deal out of the mistake or drawing attention to the person's gender identity in a way that could be uncomfortable or embarrassing for them.

A lot of stigmatizing language is normalized in our day-to-day vocabulary, especially when it comes to mental illness.

To ensure stigmatizing language is not used when writing, consider consulting the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s reference guide and resources below to determine whether the language you are using is respectful or not: