Mentally Fit Schools Resource Library
Your central online space for accessing resources and professional learning tools that support mental fitness across your school.
Mentally Fit Schools Resource Library Guide
The Resource Library is designed to make finding, downloading and using resources quick and easy, supporting the planning and delivery of the wider program.
Wellbeing Leads at each school have full access to the Resource Library and are responsible for inviting their staff to create accounts to gain access. To support you in getting started, we have prepared a step-by-step guide along with an accompanying video tutorial.
For questions or further support, email: schools@gotcha4life.org
Watch the video guide here:
Access the step-by-step PDF guides below:
Problematic
‘mental patient’, ‘nut job’, ‘lunatic’, ‘psycho’, ‘mad’
Why?
Sensationalises mental ill-health and reinforces stigma
What to say instead?
A person is living with or has a diagnosis of a mental illness
Problematic
Someone is a ‘victim of mental illness’ or ‘suffering from mental illness’
Why?
Suggests people with mental ill-health lack quality of life
What to say instead?
The person is ‘being treated for’ or is ‘someone with’ a mental illness
Problematic
Someone is ’a schizophrenic’ or ‘an anorexic’
Why?
Labels the person by their mental illness
What to say instead?
They ‘have a diagnosis of’ or are ‘being treated for’ schizophrenia or anorexia
Problematic
‘crazed’, ‘deranged’, ‘mad’, psychotic’
Why?
Implies mental health issues when describing people’s behaviour
What to say instead?
Their behaviour was erratic or very unusual
Problematic
‘Happy pills’, ‘shrink’, ‘mental institution’, ‘funny farm’
Why?
Undermines people’s willingness to seek help by using colloquial language to describe treatment
What to say instead?
Use accurate terminology for treatment, such as antidepressant, psychiatrist, mental health hospital