May is Mental Health Awareness Month and one of the ways we can effectively communicate with and about those who are suffering from mental illness is by using compassionate language. Clinical psychologist Marshall B. Rosenberg is credited with this type of communication, theorizing that most communication is an effort to get a core human need met and when we’re able to pay attention to our core needs as well as the core needs of others, we can act out of compassion, empathy, and understanding instead of judgement or fear.
For example, if you’re discussing a patient with a colleague and the patient is diagnosed with schizophrenia, it’s important to use phrases like “the person has schizophrenia,” instead of “this person is schizophrenic.” The latter phrase seems to define who the person is, while the former phrase, which utilizes compassionate language, illustrates what the patient has, which in turn separates the person from the illness.
Also, when listening to someone who has mental illness, it’s more supportive to say “I understand what you are saying” instead of “It’s all in your head.” The second phrase is judgmental and doesn’t value what the person is saying. The compassionate phrase shows that you are listening to and acknowledging the person’s feelings, which builds trust, validates their feelings, and helps the conversation move forward in a positive way.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis, please call the Crisis Support Line at 888-291-5802. If someone is suicidal and in immediate danger, please dial 911. For access to more campus resources please visit the
MUSM Student Wellness page.
Follow our social media accounts throughout the month of May for highlights about the importance of mental health awareness month and our Master of Family Therapy program.
