Let's All Use Inclusive Language!
Diversity among peer support workers enriches the support system by broadening the spectrum of experiences and perspectives available. This inclusivity ensures that more individuals can find a peer with whom they can truly resonate, whether it be through shared cultural backgrounds, languages, or life experiences. For instance, a peer support worker who has navigated the complexities of mental health challenges as an immigrant can offer indispensable insights to someone facing similar circumstances. This shared understanding can foster a deeper sense of trust and openness, crucial elements for effective support and recovery.
As humans, we are multifaceted, each one of us holding many identities. In the pursuit of inclusive language, we must acknowledge people as a whole and refrain from using labels. Historically, labeling tends to confine people to one aspect of themselves which perpetuates stigma. With person-first language, we distinguish the individual as a person before sharing any identities they may hold. By saying "person experiencing homelessness" rather than "homeless person" the perspective changes and we engage from an intersectional approach. The latter is referred to as identity-first language and is favored in communities that view their disability as an integral part of them.
