Mental Health, Discourse and Stigma

Abstract

In this editorial to the special collection “Mental Health, Discourse and Stigma” we outline the concepts of mental, health, discourse and stigma as they are examined through sociolinguistic lenses. We examine the sociolinguistic approach to mental health and stigma and discuss the different theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches that have been applied in such contexts. Sociolinguistics views mental health and stigma as discursively constructed and constituted, i.e. they are both manifest, negotiated, reinforced or contested in the language that people use. We highlight existing gaps in sociolinguistic research and outline how it could enrich research in psychology and psychiatry and contribute to professional practice. Specifically, sociolinguistics provides well-established methodological tools to research the ‘voices’ of people with a history of mental ill health, their family, carers and mental health professionals in both online and off-line contexts. This is vital to develop targeted interventions and to contribute to de-stigmatization of mental health. To conclude, we highlight the importance of transdisciplinary research that brings together expertise in psychology, psychiatry and sociolinguistics.

“I *know* all the things I should be doing …”: accounting for mental health and illness in an online mental health discussion forum during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) states that mental health is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community” [ 8 ]. For the purposes of this article and following Zayts-Spence, Edmonds [ 9 ], we use the term ‘mental health’ to refer to a positive state of well-being as per the WHO definition, ‘mental illness’ to refer to a clinically diagnosable disorder, and ‘mental distress’ or ‘mental ill-health’ to refer to any other mental state associated with significant distress or impairment in functioning.…”