Why It's Important
Note: If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (dial 988). Call the Trevor Project (dial 1-866-488-7386) for LGBTQ+-specific support. Both hotlines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. For more information, visit the Lifeline or the Trevor Project online.
The incidence of mental health conditions among college students continue to increase,
1 highlighting an ongoing need for understanding and empathy. According to the Mayo Clinic,
2 44% of college students reported symptoms of depression during the 2021-2022 academic year. More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults
3 have a mental health condition.Additionally, 1 in 6 American women has been the victim of rape or an attempted rape, according to RAINN.
4 On college campuses, there are two sexual assaults for every robbery, and college-age victims often do not report their experiences to law enforcement.
5Language around health and wellness must be inclusive of all people's backgrounds and experiences. Sexual, mental, and physical health include complex and diverse topics. Our communications about health and wellness should take a stigma-free, nonjudgmental approach.
Mental Health
Historically, there has been stigma surrounding discussions about mental health. Speaking with compassion and understanding honors people's diverse mental health journeys and opens avenues for support and intervention.
| Avoid Saying | Consider Replacing With | Why This Matters |
|---|
| mental illness | mental health condition, disorder, issue, challenge | Not all mental health conditions are illnesses or diseases. Using these words can misrepresent an individual and/or cause shame and stigma. Use the best phrase for the specific context. |
| they're struggling with/suffering from a mental health condition | they have a mental health condition | Use "have" rather than "struggling with" or "suffering from" to speak neutrally about a person's mental health. However, do not correct how someone uses these phrases to refer to themself or their own experiences. |
|
| mental illness |
| they're struggling with/suffering from a mental health condition |
|
| mental health condition, disorder, issue, challenge |
| they have a mental health condition |
|
| Not all mental health conditions are illnesses or diseases. Using these words can misrepresent an individual and/or cause shame and stigma. Use the best phrase for the specific context. |
| Use "have" rather than "struggling with" or "suffering from" to speak neutrally about a person's mental health. However, do not correct how someone uses these phrases to refer to themself or their own experiences. |
Suicide
Avoid language that associates suicide or suicidal thoughts with crime, sin, blame, or moral obligation.
| Avoid Saying | Consider Replacing With | Why This Matters |
|---|
| committed suicide, killed themself | died by suicide, took their own life, ended their own life | The word "commit" implies a criminal act and casts blame on the person. |
| they are suicidal | they are experiencing suicidal thoughts | The preferred phrase represents a temporary state rather than describing a person in an absolute way. |
| unsuccessful suicide attempt | nonfatal suicide attempt | A nonfatal suicide attempt is not a failure. Be careful not to use judgmental language ("unsuccessful") when discussing such a sensitive topic. |
|
| committed suicide, killed themself |
| they are suicidal |
| unsuccessful suicide attempt |
|
| died by suicide, took their own life, ended their own life |
| they are experiencing suicidal thoughts |
| nonfatal suicide attempt |
|
| The word "commit" implies a criminal act and casts blame on the person. |
| The preferred phrase represents a temporary state rather than describing a person in an absolute way. |
| A nonfatal suicide attempt is not a failure. Be careful not to use judgmental language ("unsuccessful") when discussing such a sensitive topic. |
Eating Disorders
Individuals of all genders, backgrounds, sizes, and identities experience eating disorders. Assumptions and stereotypes about eating disorders and those affected promote stigma and limit people's access to treatment. Avoid descriptions that quantify an individual's weight, clothing size, food intake, activity level, or changes in body measurements.
Substance Use
When discussing substance use, disorders, or addiction, use nonjudgmental language that does not assign personal blame.
| Don't Use | Do Use |
|---|
| substance abuse, drug abuse | substance use, harmful use of a substance |
| junkie, user, drug addict, drug abuser | person with substance use disorder, person who uses drugs or substances |
|
| substance abuse, drug abuse |
| junkie, user, drug addict, drug abuser |
|
| substance use, harmful use of a substance |
| person with substance use disorder, person who uses drugs or substances |
Safer Sex Terminology
Avoid connecting a person's sexual activity with their moral character. This harmful connection leads to stigma and enforces the negative belief that an activity or person can be wrong, abnormal, or amoral. Discuss sexual health in neutral or affirming terms to provide nonjudgmental information.
| Avoid Saying | Consider Replacing With | Why This Matters |
|---|
| safe sex | safer sex | "Safer sex" challenges the idea that there is "safe" and "unsafe" sex. This term encompasses a spectrum of safer sex practices like disinfecting sex toys and testing for sexually transmitted infections. |
| infected | contracted, transmitted, acquired | Because of the negative connotations and blame associated with the term "infected," use other phrases. |
| clean/dirty | tested negative/positive for [a specific disease or condition] | Connecting a disease status or test result to concepts of cleanliness and dirtiness contributes to harmful stigmas and misconceptions about sexually transmitted infections. |
| promiscuous | has multiple sex partners | A person with multiple sex partners is not necessarily taking risks or being "promiscuous." Avoid using this term. |
|
| safe sex |
| infected |
| clean/dirty |
| promiscuous |
|
| safer sex |
| contracted, transmitted, acquired |
| tested negative/positive for [a specific disease or condition] |
| has multiple sex partners |
|
| "Safer sex" challenges the idea that there is "safe" and "unsafe" sex. This term encompasses a spectrum of safer sex practices like disinfecting sex toys and testing for sexually transmitted infections. |
| Because of the negative connotations and blame associated with the term "infected," use other phrases. |
| Connecting a disease status or test result to concepts of cleanliness and dirtiness contributes to harmful stigmas and misconceptions about sexually transmitted infections. |
| A person with multiple sex partners is not necessarily taking risks or being "promiscuous." Avoid using this term. |
Menstruation
Pads, tampons, and menstrual cups are used by all genders. When discussing menstruation, use phrases such as "people who menstruate," rather than just "women," though it may be appropriate to use both. Avoid unnecessarily gendered phrases like "feminine hygiene products." Instead, use "menstrual products."
Reproductive Rights
Use gender-inclusive language when discussing reproductive rights. Transgender, nonbinary, gender fluid, and gender-nonconforming individuals all experience reproductive injustice alongside cisgender women.
Sexual Violence
When writing about sexual abuse, it's important to mention resources — such as hotlines, warning signs, and support groups — that could help readers get help or gather more information. The following is an example of this:
Help is available. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-656-4673. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please seek legal counsel. If you are experiencing a life-threatening situation, seek help or dial 911.
There are precise legal differences between terms like sexual assault, rape, harassment, and sexual abuse, so use specific and careful language when referencing this subject.6 See the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission7 and the American Psychological Association8 for legal definitions of these terms.
| Avoid Saying (in the context of sexual violence) | Consider Replacing With | Why This Matters |
|---|
| sex scandal | sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, rape | The phrase "sex scandal" diminishes and sensationalizes the crime. |
| sex or intercourse | rape, unwanted sexual penetration, sexual violence, sexual assault | Using the right term lets the public understand the act was one of violence rather than mutual consent. |
| perform oral sex | forced oral and genital contact | Describe the act accurately instead of using a word that portrays the victim as a primary actor. |
| fondle | grope, unwanted touching | Use language that signifies that the act was unwanted. |
| engaged in | was forced to | Avoid language that implies that the victim consented to the act. |
| victim admits, victim confesses | victim reports, victim says | Use neutral and objective language to describe the report. |
| accuser | alleged victim, survivor (if perpetrator has been convicted) | Use the word "alleged" when necessary prior to conviction. |
| accused | alleged perpetrator, perpetrator (if perpetrator has been convicted) | Use the word "alleged" when necessary prior to conviction. |
|
| sex scandal |
| sex or intercourse |
| perform oral sex |
| fondle |
| engaged in |
| victim admits, victim confesses |
| accuser |
| accused |
|
| sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, rape |
| rape, unwanted sexual penetration, sexual violence, sexual assault |
| forced oral and genital contact |
| grope, unwanted touching |
| was forced to |
| victim reports, victim says |
| alleged victim, survivor (if perpetrator has been convicted) |
| alleged perpetrator, perpetrator (if perpetrator has been convicted) |
|
| The phrase "sex scandal" diminishes and sensationalizes the crime. |
| Using the right term lets the public understand the act was one of violence rather than mutual consent. |
| Describe the act accurately instead of using a word that portrays the victim as a primary actor. |
| Use language that signifies that the act was unwanted. |
| Avoid language that implies that the victim consented to the act. |
| Use neutral and objective language to describe the report. |
| Use the word "alleged" when necessary prior to conviction. |
| Use the word "alleged" when necessary prior to conviction. |
Victim vs. Survivor
The term victim is typically used when referring to a person who has recently experienced sexual violence or when discussing a crime. Survivor is often used to refer to a person who is going through the recovery process when discussing the effects of sexual violence. Sometimes, writers may find it appropriate to alternate between the two terms.Both terms are acceptable, but it's best to be respectful and ask for the individual's preference.
Impact of Sexual Violence Across Genders
While women experience sexual violence at higher rates than men, people of all gender identities can experience sexual violence.9 The rates are disproportionately high for people who are trans and nonbinary compared to those who are cisgender, but studies frequently only have identifier options for women and men.10 People who do not fit into one of these gender categories are either misidentified or removed from the data collection. People of color also experience sexual violence at higher rates than white people.
When citing any data source, be mindful of the data's limitations and indicate if any groups were excluded from the data collection.
For more advice related to gender, see the
Gender and Sexuality section of our Conscious Language Guide.
Trigger and Content Warnings Explained
While trigger and content warnings are not often part of people's everyday verbal conversations, they pop up in written communications and other forms of media regularly. The purpose of these warnings is to let readers, viewers, and/or listeners know that upcoming topics cover certain information that may be challenging or literally triggering.This gives people a chance to decide what content they want to consume, in case they wish to avoid activating or "triggering" any negative effects of past or ongoing trauma. Trigger and content warnings can flag topics that include, but are not limited to, sexual violence, substance use, suicide, and eating disorders.
Sources
- Flannery, M. E. (2023, March 29). The mental health crisis on college campuses. National Education Association.
- Bowe, K. (2023, August 22). College students and depression: A guide for parents. Mayo Clinic Health System.
- National Institue of Mental Health. (2024, September 1). Mental illness.
- RAINN. (Retrieved on 2023, October 26). Scope of the problem: Statistics.
- RAINN. (Retrieved on 2025, March 18). Campus sexual violence: Statistics.
- Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. (2019). Reporting on sexual violence: A media guide for Maine journalists.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Retrieved on 2023, October 26). Harassment.
- American Psychological Association. (Retrieved on 2023, October 26). Psychology topics.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 23). Fast facts: Preventing sexual violence.
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2019). Sexual violence & transgender/non-binary communities.
