Everyday language choices can shape public attitudes toward people with mental health challenges.

Terms like "the mentally ill" can increase stigma.

Person-first language could lead to more respectful and understanding attitudes about mental health issues.

The concept of “person-first language” in reference to mental health concerns literally puts the person first and then their condition. In other words, you would say “people with mental illness” instead of “the mentally ill.”

Person-first language has been encouraged by many advocacy groups and organizations since the 1990s. The argument goes that person-first language is more respectful and conveys more dignity to the person. Also, it puts the primary focus on the person and doesn’t equate the person with their illness.

Given my long-standing interest in this topic, I found it very interesting to read about innovative research that claims to be the first study to scientifically test the effects of using person-first versus non-person-first language.

The study was simple but ingenious. Three groups of participants were used: 1) undergraduate college students; 2) adult community residents; and 3) professional........

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