Brochures, Fact Sheets, Guides and Toolkits

The words we use matter. Reducing stigma through language
This brief fact sheet which is an adaptation of Substance Use Disorders: A Guide to the Use of Language provides information on the importance of appropriate language use when working with individuals with substance use disorders. it also provides information on words to avoid.

Language: The importance of language in promoting community inclusion
This brief fact sheet provides an overview of the importance of using of "people-first" language in the promotion of community integration, and provides information on how language change occurs.

Beat the stigma and discrimination! Four lessons for mental health advocates
This handbook focuses on correcting the disparity and increasing both opportunities and resources for people with mental illnesses by reviewing ways in which negative public attitudes might be reduced and more appropriate attitudes might be enhanced.

How to use the media to fight stigma and discrimination (Spanish language version)
This Spanish languge tool kit helps individuals learn how to counteract stigma by working with the media and becoming involved in various anti-stigma initiatives.

Suicide and mental illness in the media: A Mindframe resource for the mental health sector
This resource guide was developed to assist people involved in mental health to communicate effectively with the media about suicide, mental health and mental illness.

Stigma. In The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders [2 vols.]
This article defines stigma, specifically as it relates to mental illness. See URL for full text. [Available from www.mindisorders.com.]

Mental illness and stigma: Coping with the ridicule
This fact sheet discussed the effects of labeling and stereotyping someone with a mental illness. The document also provides tips for coping with stigma and stigmatizing situations.

Mind your language: Media guidelines for mental health issues
This booklet, part of the 'see me' mental health public education campaign of Scotland, provides guidelines when addressing mental illness in the media.

Module Two: Defining the Illnesses
This is a teaching module on the proper uses of psychiatric terminology. Learners understand how inaccurate portrayals and stereotypes of mental illnesses create barriers to medical treatment. This brochure is also available in its entirety from the American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. http://www.appi.org/

Guidelines for non-handicapping language in APA journals: Committee on disabilities issues in psychology
This fact sheet provides guidelines for the use of appropriate language regarding people with disabilities.

Stigma and Mental Illness
This fact sheet about about labels and stereotyping demonstrates the ways in which words can hurt and the ways in which they can affirm people with mental illnesses. By juxtaposing the ways that 'words can be poison' and the ways that 'words can heal,' the document sets ups do's and don't for the appropriate use of language.

Stigma: Language matters
A fact sheet created by On Our Own of Maryland outlining appropriate and respectful language to use when speaking about people who have mental illnesses. To order the fact sheet, download the form by clicking here.

Words matter
This fact sheet provides examples of appropriate and inappropriate language when discussing mental illness.

Stigma and discrimination: Aspects of stigma
Prejudice and discrimination towards people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, and even towards their families, is a huge problem. This Web site contains ideas put together from conferences and other academic discussions about language.