Editorial: The use of language in reference to individuals experiencing a mental health condition or physical disability can act, potentially inadvertently, to increase stigma and cause personal distress. Although often used as short-hand in referring to someone diagnosed with a disorder or disability, labeling someone (for example, as a ‘schizophrenic’, a ‘paraplegic’, a ‘drug abuser’, or a ‘disordered gambler’) conflates the individual with the condition. This creates the impression that a mental health disorder is a defining feature, characteristic, or stable trait of the individual. In many contexts, this is disrespectful and demeaning, and perpetuates personal and social marginalization. As a field, we must recognize the power of language and the potential for collective nouns that personify disorders to have negative impacts on the people to whom we are referring.