The way we talk about mental health, suicide, and alcohol and other drugs can have a powerful impact. Words can support people to feel understood and seek help, or they can reinforce stigma and cause harm.

Language shapes how people with diabetes experience their care, their health, and how they see themselves. This article, from the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), looks at how diabetes language has evolved, what progress has been made, and what still needs to shift.

In this short film, the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) explores how language can reduce stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs.

Published in Hepatology, this global consensus statement brought together 236 experts and patient advocates from 56 countries to review the terminology used for fatty liver disease. The aim was to reduce stigma and improve clarity in diagnosis.

This factsheet highlights the impact that stigma can have on people’s willingness to participate in the program and offers strategies to create more supportive, respectful, and inclusive care.

Developed by the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) and the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA), Language Matters is a best-practice guide for non-government alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers.

Diabetes Australia's position statement, Our Language Matters, underscores the profound impact language has on individuals living with diabetes. The document advocates for clear, respectful, and inclusive communication that avoids stigma and bias.