The Clear and Inclusive Writing Guidelines: The New CAMH Style updates and expands the existing CAMH Style guidelines outlining grammar and referencing to cover inclusive writing principles, perspectives on mental health and disability and word choice guidelines.
More than 70 CAMH patient advisors, staff and community members co-developed this resource, which provides recommendations and best practices for anyone writing content in health care settings.
This guide is a living resource. Updates will be shaped by ongoing feedback, emerging research and the lived experiences of people and communities affected by the words we use to create health communications and education. You can provide feedback using our survey.
If you prefer to access the guidelines through a quick-search version with shorter topic-based PDFs, visit the Global Learning Academy channel (login required).
Inside the guide
The guidelines are organized into six parts:
1. The Principles of Inclusive Writing
Guidance on writing or editing in a way that upholds equity, inclusion, diversity, anti-racism and anti-oppression.
2. Perspectives on Mental Health and Disability
An introduction to different models for thinking and writing about mental health, disability, and related identities.
3. The Language Guidelines
A catalogue of identity-specific guidelines that provide word choice recommendations, examples and language patterns to avoid when writing about different groups.
4. The Effective Writing Guidelines
An update to the former CAMH Style Guide, this section provides writing, reference, and style guidance for cohesion and consistency in written materials across the hospital.
5. Technological Considerations
An overview of how technology is shaping the communications landscape, including best practices and digital tools to meet your needs.
6. Tools and Resources
A collection of recommended resources used to inform the Clear and Inclusive Writing Guidelines.
Indigenous language guidance from Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH
Updates to the Shkaabe Makwa Language Guide (2019) are provided through recommendations about decolonizing language, a discussion of Indigenous Wholistic models of health and well-being, word choice for writing about First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and ‘Shkaabe Makwa Suggests’ sections of Indigenous style recommendations throughout the guide.
Shkaabe Makwa Suggests are pieces of language guidance throughout the guide that have been provided by Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH. This guidance is grounded in Indigenous writing and editing principles and is informed by Shkaabe Makwa’s work supporting the wellness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.