A note on language
The Commission acknowledges that language surrounding mental health and suicide can be powerful, loaded and at times contested. Often, preferences differ across groups of people, and there is no single consensus on preferred terminology. Given this, the Commission has been conscious to use terminology throughout this report that is both most respectful and preferred by the majority of people to whom the terminology refers.
This report covers a broad range of topics in relation to mental health. The language used to discuss these topics has adhered to the language conventions outlined in the Life in Mind National Communications Charter, where applicable. This Charter represents a unified approach and promotes a common language when referring to issues around mental health, mental illness and suicide, with the intention of reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking behaviours. For these reasons, the Commission aligns its terminology in this report with the conventions in the Charter.
Where using certain terminology may misrepresent a source being cited, the terminology used by the source has been used.
For a detailed list of definitions of terms used throughout this report, refer to the Glossary of Terms at the end of the report.
The Commission endorses the Mindframe Media Reporting Guidelines and requests that any media using this report do so in accordance with the Guidelines.
