TY - CHAP

T1 - Language of Mental Health

AU - Atanasova, Dimitrinka

PY - 2026/3/2

Y1 - 2026/3/2

N2 - This chapter starts by describing how our language has changed from talking about mental illness to talking about mental health. It then reviews linguistic research and shows that most studies have focused on mental illness in general or specific mental disorders. Next, it reflects on the key features of the language that different people use to talk about mental health - particularly, how people with mental health conditions use metaphors to discuss their experiences and how stigma is linguistically manifested in wider societal discussions. It concludes by considering how the language of mental health may vary by culture.Key Points• Describe a key change in the language that we use to talk about this issue - a movement away from illness and disorder to health and well-being.• Present some of the key features of the language that different people use to talk about mental health - particularly, how people with mental health conditions use metaphors to discuss their experiences and how stigma is linguistically manifested in wider societal discussions.• Consider how the language of mental health may vary by culture.

AB - This chapter starts by describing how our language has changed from talking about mental illness to talking about mental health. It then reviews linguistic research and shows that most studies have focused on mental illness in general or specific mental disorders. Next, it reflects on the key features of the language that different people use to talk about mental health - particularly, how people with mental health conditions use metaphors to discuss their experiences and how stigma is linguistically manifested in wider societal discussions. It concludes by considering how the language of mental health may vary by culture.Key Points• Describe a key change in the language that we use to talk about this issue - a movement away from illness and disorder to health and well-being.• Present some of the key features of the language that different people use to talk about mental health - particularly, how people with mental health conditions use metaphors to discuss their experiences and how stigma is linguistically manifested in wider societal discussions.• Consider how the language of mental health may vary by culture.

M3 - Chapter (peer-reviewed)

SN - 9780323955041

BT - International Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics, 3rd Edition

A2 - Nesi, Hilary

A2 - Milin, Petar

PB - Elsevier

ER -