Mental ill-health and the power of words

Big Ideas

The language used to talk about mental ill-health can play a key role in reducing or enforcing stigma. And it's constantly evolving. But what terms should be used and when? And by whom? The wrong word can not only deeply hurt a person's feelings. It can end careers, destroy relationships, cut access to support systems. This special World Mental Health Day PsychTalks event was presented by the Mental Ill-Health Stigma Researchers Australia Network (MISRA), the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, and the Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, with the support of SANE’s StigmaWatch program.

Speakers

Professor Nicola ReavleyPrincipal Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Dr Michelle BlanchardChief Executive Officer of VANISH, Honorary Senior Fellow in the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

Professor Nick HaslamProfessor of Psychology, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Fay JacksonGeneral Manager of Inclusion at Flourish Australia

Sandy JeffsAuthor and poet, advocate in the mental health system for many years

Dr Chris Groot (host)Senior Lecturer in the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne