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11 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,June 13,2019 theifp.ca Words are powerful, and the language we use makes a real difference when it comes to talking about mental health. Even if we may not in- tend for someone to feel judged or labelled, we need to be intentional with our language and strive to be respectful, accepting, and inclusive. So, what should we be mindful of and strive for when choosing our words? Following are some terms we should avoid in order to reduce minimization, stig- ma, and judgment. 'COMMIT SUICIDE' The word "commit" is negatively loaded. We talk about "committing a crime" or "committing a sin", so when "commit" is coupled with "suicide", it carries judgment that peo- ple affected by suicide say makes them feel criticized and blamed. The preferred language is to say that someone "died by suicide" or that someone "suicided". 'ADDICT, SCHIZOPHRENIC,' AND THE LIKE Labelling someone by their mental health prob- lem minimizes everything else about that person. Per- son-first language, such as "she has an addiction" rather than "she is an ad- dict", recognizes that we are not defined by our men- tal health problems - we are all people with unique qualities and experiences first and foremost, and our language should reflect that. Think about it - if some- one has a physical health problem, we don't say "He is a migraine" or "She is back pain", and it should be the same for mental health. 'SUFFERS FROM' Saying that people "suf- fer from depression" or "suffer from anxiety" can really minimize their resil- ience. While we want to recognize that mental health problems can be challenging, we also want to recognize that people have strengths and can re- cover and cope in positive ways. People who have mental health problems can and do have meaningful and re- warding lives in which they are not always "suffering". Saying that someone is "liv- ing with depression" or "living with anxiety" better reflects that recovery is possible and that each and every one of us can have positive mental health. 'JUST' "He just has depression" and similar statements are often ways of dismissing what someone is experi- encing, sometimes because we may not know what we can do to help. It suggests that people living with mental health problems should be used to their symptoms and there is no reason for them to need help or support. There is no "just" about it - we can all benefit from some compassion and sup- port at some point, no mat- ter where our mental health is at. Our language can either judge and label or respect and include, so let's work towards making positive choices with our words. Melanie McGregor is the communications and advancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, which provides mental health/ addiction community sup- port and education. Visit www.halton.cmha.ca for more information and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter. OPINION WORDS MATTER WHEN REFERRING TO MENTAL HEALTH IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WRITES MELANIE MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column Amica Georgetown, in partnership with the Hillsview Active Living Centre, invites you to our first annual Healthy Living for Healthy Aging fair. Enjoy snacks and refreshments while you learn from three guest speakers and visit booths set up by local health care professionals. Plus, enter for the chance to win great door prizes. Join us for the afternoon or drop in for one of the guest speaker presentations at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00pm. Topics of discussion include healthy eating, sleep habits for seniors, and facts and myths about cannabis. Thursday, June 20, 1:00 -4:00pm Hillsview Active Living Centre, 318 Guelph Street YOU'RE INVITED TOOUR SENIORS FAIR AM ICA .CA /GEORGETOWN New OptOmetry Office in DOwntOwn GeOrGetOwn Dr. Ben Giddens Dr. Andrea Kozma Dr. Stephanie Britton has opened a 2nd location at the mill Street medical centre. DOwntOwn GeOrGetOwn 83 mill St | 905 873 1867 metrO plaza 371 mountainview rd S | 905 873 1861 family eye care ServiceS Day, Evening and Saturday Hours | Same day appointments for urgent eye care. Please phone. GIDDENS OPTOMETRY