During my studies, I heard that one advantage of psychological interventions was that “words have no side effects”.
However, this idea, that, as professionals, we can intervene through words in any manner whatsoever, still underlies some practices aimed at “treating mental health”, with very negative consequences for those who are suffering and seeking help. Of course, there are professionals in psychology and other fields who base their work on what has been scientifically demonstrated to improve mental health and that contribute to improving people’s lives.
Mental health is one of today’s major concerns. In recent years, efforts to prevent and address mental health difficulties have intensified. For this reason, it is essential to ask ourselves what kinds of interventions we are promoting and which of them are beneficial.
We know that the words we say and hear, the ones we share and collectively construct, have an impact on mental health. I believe most of us can recall words that affected our mental health, whether positively or negatively.
For example, scientific evidence has identified the coercive dominant discourse as a discourse that imposes the idea that masculinities and relationships characterised by abuse, domination and contempt are more attractive than egalitarian relationships. This socially constructed discourse presents men with violent or disdainful attitudes as more sexually and emotionally desirable than those with egalitarian behaviours. This type of discourse is present in many spheres of society and it has even appeared within intervention contexts, where some young women have been encouraged to engage in relationships with these types of masculinities. Research on disdainful hookups has identified significant physical and psychological consequences arising from these relationships, including self-harm, suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, substance abuse, depression and psychological distress.
However, there are actions based on dialogue that have scientifically demonstrated positive effects across a wide range of contexts. One example is Dialogic Gatherings, an action included within the Successful Dialogues in Mental Health Model. The first Dialogic Literary Gathering carried out in a primary healthcare centre demonstrated improvements in participants’ mental health, including progress in overcoming emotional disorders such as depression.
Our words can contribute to suffering, or they can help to overcome it. As professionals, we have the responsibility to ensure that interventions are based on what improves the lives and mental health of the people who seek our help.
Predoctoral researcher at the University of Barcelona