Words Are Powerful: Choose Them Carefully
- STAR Program SUNY Downstate
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Have you ever stopped to think about how much power your words carry? A single sentence can lift someone up or tear them down. When it comes to mental health, the words we use every day—whether joking with friends, commenting online, or talking about our own experiences—can either challenge stigma or strengthen it.
In Brooklyn, a community rich with culture, resilience, and diversity, it’s time we rethink how we speak about mental health. Because language matters—and words can heal or harm.
The Hidden Impact of Everyday Language
Sometimes, stigma isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It shows up in offhand comments like “She’s crazy,” or “I’m so OCD about my desk.” These phrases might seem harmless, but they reinforce false ideas about what mental health challenges look like.
When we use mental health terms as slang or insults, we minimize real struggles. We turn someone’s lived experience into a punchline. And whether we realize it or not, these words can discourage people from speaking up or seeking help.
Why Language Shapes Belief
Language doesn’t just reflect how we think—it shapes how we think. When we choose respectful, compassionate language, we create a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported. But when we use labels or stereotypes, we build walls.
Consider these simple shifts:
Instead of “He’s schizophrenic,” try “He lives with schizophrenia.”
Instead of “She’s mentally ill,” say “She’s managing a mental health condition.”
Instead of “He’s weak,” say “He’s reaching out for help—and that’s strong.”
These may seem like small changes, but they go a long way toward humanizing the conversation.
Rewriting the Narrative in Our Communities
In Brooklyn’s African American, Latino, and Caribbean communities, where strength and survival often define our stories, talking about mental health can feel taboo. We’ve been taught to “tough it out,” to “keep it in the family,” or to pray instead of seek therapy. But silence can be deadly. It’s time to shift that narrative—with our words.
Let’s start in our homes, on our blocks, in our churches and barber shops, and in our schools. Let’s talk about mental health the way we talk about physical health. Let’s remind each other: “Mental health is part of health.”
Speak Life, Not Shame
What if your words were the reason someone finally asked for help? What if a supportive conversation gave a friend the courage to say, “I’m not okay”?
Every time we choose language that is inclusive, empowering, and stigma-free, we open a door. We make it safer for someone to step through and say, “Me too.”
Try this:
Offer affirmations like: “You’re not alone,” “It’s okay to get help,” or “I’m here if you need to talk.”
Replace judgment with curiosity: “How are you really doing?”
Avoid dismissing phrases like “Get over it” or “You’re just being dramatic.”
Take Action: Let’s Change the Conversation
Want to be part of the movement to end mental health stigma in Brooklyn? It starts with how we talk. Be intentional. Be kind. Be aware. Because words can hurt—but they can also heal.
Need support? NYC Well is available 24/7 at 988. You can call, text, or chat with a counselor for free.
Visit www.StopMentalHealthStigma.com to learn more, share your story, and find local resources.
Remember: Your words matter. Speak with care. Speak with compassion. Speak to uplift.Let’s build a Brooklyn where no one suffers in silence.
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