The words we use have power.
They shape how we see our neighbours, influence our assumptions and affect whether someone feels comfortable asking for help. Reducing stigma through language starts with recognizing how everyday words can influence the way we treat others.
At Carman Wellness Connections (CWC), we believe building a stronger, more connected community includes thinking about how we talk about poverty, housing, mental wellness and the challenges people face.
People Are More Than Their Circumstances
Labels can make complicated situations seem simple.
Referring to someone as “poor” or describing people as “the homeless,” for example, can turn a circumstance into an identity. Saying “people experiencing financial hardship” or “people experiencing homelessness” recognizes something important: a person is not defined by what they are going through.
Circumstances can also change.
Job loss, rising living costs, unexpected expenses, changes in family circumstances and many other factors can quickly put financial pressure on a household. Someone who has never needed community support before may suddenly find themselves needing it.
Barriers Aren’t Always Visible
It can be easy to look at someone’s situation from the outside and think there is an obvious solution.
“They just need to get a job.”
“They should just ask for help.”
“Why don’t they just leave?”
But those statements overlook the barriers that may exist behind the scenes.
Finding and maintaining employment can depend on access to reliable transportation, childcare, education, appropriate employment opportunities and other supports. Asking for help can mean navigating complicated systems, overcoming stigma or simply figuring out where to begin.
Leaving an unsafe relationship can involve concerns about housing, finances, children, transportation and personal safety.
Instead of assuming the solution is simple, we can ask a better question: What barriers might this person be facing?
Reducing Stigma Through Language
Another common assumption is that difficult circumstances are simply the result of “bad choices.”
Every person makes choices, but none of us makes them under exactly the same circumstances. Our opportunities, resources, responsibilities and challenges all influence the options available to us.
We also rarely know someone’s entire story.
Replacing “They made bad choices” with “I don’t know their whole story” may seem like a small change, but it creates room for curiosity and compassion instead of judgement.
The same applies to community programs and services. Rather than assuming someone is “taking advantage” of support, we can recognize why those supports exist in the first place.
A healthy community makes sure help is available when people need it.
Changing the Conversation
Using more thoughtful language doesn’t mean pretending challenges don’t exist. It means talking about those challenges in a way that respects the dignity of the people experiencing them.
It also encourages us to look beyond individuals and consider the larger barriers affecting our community.
At CWC, much of our work is rooted in that idea. By bringing community members and organizations together, we can better understand local needs, reduce barriers and work toward practical solutions.
So, instead of asking:
“What’s wrong with them?” We can ask: “What barriers are they facing – and what can we do as a community to help remove them?”
Changing a few words won’t solve poverty or remove every barrier. But it can change the way we think about our neighbours. And changing the conversation is a good place to start.
Be Part of the Conversation
Creating a more understanding and inclusive community starts with each of us. Take a moment to think about the words you use, challenge assumptions when you hear them, and approach the experiences of others with curiosity and compassion.
Want to help create positive change in our community? Learn more about Carman Wellness Connections, join one of our Working Groups, volunteer, or get involved in the work happening right here in Carman and area.