Language Guides

Safe Media Reporting

Mindframe provides language guides for safe media reporting on sensitive topics such as alcohol and drugs, or mental ill-health. Incorporating these guides can help educate people and provide more accurate information while promoting help-seeking and help-offering. Visit their website. 

Mindframe

Talking about Trauma

BlueKnot sells guides for talking about trauma from three different points of view, as a health or service provider, primary healthcare provider, and as a member of the general public. Their suggestions are helpful not just for trauma but all ALGEE (Assess risk, Listen non-judgementally, Give reassurance, Encourage appropriate help, and Encourage self-help) conversations.

BlueKnot Publications 

Talking about Drugs and Alcohol

Careful use of language can help reduce stigma regarding drug and alcohol use and recovery, with less feeling of discrimination or stigmatization there is increased chance of a positive outcome. 

Language Guide for Drug / Alcohol Conversations

De-escalation

De-escalation can help prevent a tense situation becoming a violent situation. There are some helpful tips provided by the Tasmanian Government here: De-escalating Tense Situations

Empathy and Sympathy

Sympathy is a feeling of sincere concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful. Empathy involves actively sharing in the person's emotional experience.

Empathy vs sympathy – a short animated Brene Brown video

Empathy & acknowledgement of pain – “Being heard helps – it makes things better, even when they can’t be made right”

Lifeline for non-English speaking callers and hearing impaired callers 

Lifeline Language Support

Recovery Oriented Language Guide

The Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) developed the Recovery Oriented Language Guide in 2013 because language matters in all aspects of life, and continues to be particularly important in the context of mental health and recovery. It is vital that words are used that convey hope and optimism, and support and promote a culture that fosters recovery. (Attached Below)