Person First Language Guide

Hampshire Public Health Team have produced the newly-published Person-First Language Guide. The purpose of this guide is to enable teams to communicate with patients or service users in ways that reduce stigma and promote open, non-judgmental conversations.  Language matters, and the words and phrases suggested in the guide are based on best practice. 

• PH-Trauma-informed-language-guide.pdf (hants.gov.uk) 

The document provides examples of words or phrases that can have a negative effect on the wellbeing of individuals - and examples of words or phrases that are suggested replacements.  These are only suggestions and professionals should use their knowledge to inform best practice.

It has been co-designed with people with living experience of drugs and alcohol use, suicide and mental ill-health and is based on good practice drawn from a variety of sources. The guide is not exhaustive and covers the following areas of work;

1. Drugs and Alcohol
2. Domestic Abuse
3. Mental Health and Wellbeing
4. Suicide Prevention

If you have any queries or comments in relation to this document, please do not hesitate to email publichealthhampshire@hants.gov.uk.