The power of language in reducing mental health stigma

A recent article in Pakistani news described a tragedy with the phrase "committed suicide," exemplifying how commonly our media uses stigmatising language in mental health reporting.

Such phrases, including terms like "psycho" or "mental" as insults, perpetuate harmful stereotypes about those experiencing mental health challenges. Language profoundly impacts public perception and health-seeking behaviour, especially when discussing sensitive issues like mental health. As Pakistan contends with a rising mental health crisis, media outlets need to recognise the responsibility they have in shaping attitudes and behaviours toward mental illness — and understand how language can either alleviate or reinforce stigma.

The phrase “committed suicide” is an especially problematic example. Historically, the term “commit” is associated with crime or sin, suggesting that suicide is a moral or legal failing. This can lead to feelings of shame and fear, pushing people to hide their struggles rather than seek help. In contrast, using neutral, compassionate terms like “died by suicide” or “lost their life to suicide” is non-judgmental, fostering empathy instead of condemnation. Such language normalises the idea that mental health struggles are complex, often painful experiences deserving of understanding, not judgment.

Media’s choice of words extends beyond suicide-related language. The casual use of terms like “psycho,” “crazy,” and “mental” as insults, for example, deepens mental health stigma by portraying individuals with mental health issues as irrational or even dangerous. This framing not only isolates those with mental health challenges but can lead to discrimination and exclusion. Another unscientific and damaging association is linking mental illness with violence. Many reports covering violent acts include baseless assumptions that the person responsible had a “mental problem,” an association that further criminalises and mischaracterises mental illness. In reality, research shows that mental health disorders are rarely the cause of violence, and people with these conditions are often more vulnerable than they are dangerous. Associating mental illness with violence and criminal behaviour reinforces stigma and creates barriers to support for those who need it.

Addressing this problem requires more than avoiding certain words; it calls for a shift in attitude. Ethical reporting on mental health means adopting a human-centred approach and treating mental illness as we would any other health condition. This shift needs dedicated capacity-building initiatives for journalists and editors, equipping them with the skills to report on mental health issues in ways that build understanding rather than stigma. Recently, the British Asian Trust and Taskeen Health Initiative conducted training for media professionals in Pakistan on ethical mental health reporting principles, a valuable step toward reshaping the media’s role in promoting mental well-being.

These efforts align closely with the goals of the MILKAR campaign, a national mental health initiative that aims to reduce stigma through open conversations and community support. Led by the British Asian Trust, the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Foundation, and the Pakistan Mental Health Coalition, MILKAR seeks to foster a supportive, informed public that rejects stigma. By normalising mental health conversations and educating the public, MILKAR is working to dismantle misconceptions and encourage people to seek help without shame.

In Pakistan, where mental health remains a taboo topic, the media can play a pivotal role in shaping a more compassionate and understanding society. Positive, thoughtful reporting can encourage people to seek help and tear down the social barriers that keep many suffering in silence. By consciously choosing non-judgmental, empathetic language, the media has the power to reshape public attitudes, reinforcing that mental health issues are not moral or criminal failings but part of the human experience.

Our media holds the potential—and the responsibility—to transform the national conversation around mental health. When language is used to humanise rather than marginalise, it sends a powerful message: those struggling with mental health challenges are not alone, help is available, and they are not to blame. Changing our words changes our world, making it a more inclusive and supportive space for everyone, especially those living with mental health conditions.

The writer is a founder of Taskeen Health Initiative and a doctor who works in public health sector in Pakistan.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the writer's own and don't necessarily reflect Geo.tv's editorial policy.