Navigating the language of mental health

The perception of mental health is changing, and for the better—particularly as legal professionals are among those most vulnerable to experiencing poor mental health. But is the language we use in the workplace keeping up? Sarah Speight explores.

There is undoubtedly greater recognition of mental health in society and in workplaces now more than ever.

But the use of language to describe aspects of mental health has not necessarily kept pace.

The term ‘mental health’ itself has negative connotations, since language can “unconsciously trigger our brains to think in a certain way and add to the stigma that surrounds mental health”, according to Everymind at Work.