Word Power: Terminology Research in Mental Health

Terminology and the stigma that is often associated with words is a prominent concern in the mental health field. The terms used to refer to persons with a mental illness who are using the public health services affect not only service providers and the individuals receiving the services, but the general public and people with mental illness as a whole. This exploratory descriptive research study was undertaken to determine the current usage and understanding of terms used in health services to refer to persons with a mental illness.