Unpacking Psychosis: Language, Connection & Care Podcast By  cover art

Unpacking Psychosis: Language, Connection & Care

Unpacking Psychosis: Language, Connection & Care

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

In this episode of The CultureHug Podcast, we explore how to support loved ones experiencing psychosis or other serious mental health challenges with empathy and respect. Learn how to use person-centered language, communicate with care, reduce stigma, and stay grounded in compassion—even when things feel uncertain. We’ll also talk about the importance of caregiver well-being, validating without reinforcing delusions, and why connection is a powerful form of support. Whether you’re a friend, family member, or simply want to understand mental illness better, this episode offers tools to navigate tough conversations and build deeper understanding.

Sources:
  • Bulthuis, E. (n.d.). 7 terms to avoid when talking about mental illnesses. HealthPartners Blog.
  • California Department of Health Care Services. (n.d.). CARE Act Family Resource Guide.
  • CooperRiis. (2023, April 6). Communicating Effectively with Loved Ones Who Have Psychosis. Psychology Today.
  • Cunha, F., Santos, I., Castro, N., Andrade, R., Almeida, E., Abreu, J., Martins, J., & Borges, S. (2024, August 27). Peer Support in Psychosis Care: A Valuable Resource for Recovery. European Psychiatry, 67(Suppl 1), S389–S390.
  • Early Psychosis Care Center Missouri. (n.d.). EPC Toolkit - Early Psychosis Care Missouri.
  • Fett, A.-K. J., Hanssen, E., Eemers, M., Peters, E., & Shergill, S. S. (2021, June 15). Social isolation and psychosis: an investigation of social interactions and paranoia in daily life. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 272, 119–127.
  • Mental Health First Aid International. (2022). PSYCHOSIS: MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID GUIDELINES (2019 Version 2.3).
  • Monahan, Z., Stone, T., Swami, V., Dunn, K., & Hartwell, M. (2025, April 22). The Use of Person-Centered Language in Scientific Research Articles Focused on Psychosis. Advocate Aurora Health, Inc., 12(2), 56–62.
  • National Mental Health Hotline. (n.d.). How to Talk to Someone Experiencing Psychosis.
  • NSW Health. (n.d.). How can I communicate with someone experiencing psychosis?.
  • Runkle, K. (2019, June 18). Psychosis: Responding to a Loved One in the Face of Uncertainty. NAMI.
  • Shahwan, S., Goh, C. M. J., Tan, G. T. H., Ong, W. J., Chong, S. A., & Subramaniam, M. (2022, January 31). Strategies to Reduce Mental Illness Stigma: Perspectives of People with Lived Experience and Caregivers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1632.
  • Tee, H., Priebe, S., Santos, C., Xanthopoulou, P., Webber, M., & Giacco, D. (2020, January 29). Helping people with psychosis to expand their social networks: the stakeholders’ views. BMC Psychiatry, 20, Article 29.
  • Treatment Advocacy Center. (n.d.). Communication Tips.
  • University of Washington. (n.d.). How to support a loved one through psychosis | Psyche Guides.
  • Verywell Mind. (2024, July 29). Thinking Process Abnormalities in Schizophrenia.
  • Volkow, N. D., Gordon, J. A., & Koob, G. F. (2021, July 19). Choosing appropriate language to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders. Molecular Psychiatry, 46(13), 2230–2232.
  • Weittenhiller, L. P., Mikhail, M. E., Mote, J., Campellone, T. R., & Kring, A. M. (2021, January 19). What gets in the way of social engagement in schizophrenia?. World Journal of Psychiatry, 11(1), 13–26.
  • White, T. P., Borgan, F., Ralley, O., & Shergill, S. S. (2015, September 4). You looking at me?: Interpreting social cues in schizophrenia. Psychological Medicine, 46(1), 149–160.
  • York Region and South Simcoe, CMHA. (2024, October 31). 10 Ways to Support Your Loved One Through Psychosis. Blog.
No reviews yet