Why mental health labels aren’t always the answer

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A diagnosis can help make sense of what someone is going through, but it doesn’t always capture the whole picture. The words we use to describe mental health are more widespread than ever and shape how people see themselves and others. While greater awareness is positive, the rise of self-diagnosis and online trends has blurred the line between genuine struggles and clinical conditions. That’s why mental health labels aren’t always for the best.

At Marrin Weejali, we support Aboriginal people in Western Sydney on their journey to overcoming addiction and emotional distress. Mental health plays a significant role in recovery, but we know that focusing solely on a diagnosis can overlook the deeper struggles people face. Removing stigma means seeing the whole person, not just a label.

For many, a diagnosis brings relief and helps them understand and process their emotions and behaviours more purposefully. It can affirm their struggles as real, not a perceived personal failing, which is important for those who already feel unheard and misunderstood.

A formal diagnosis also opens doors to medical treatment, counselling and, where required, financial assistance to ensure people receive the right care. In Australia, programs like the NDIS and Medicare-rebated mental health plans often require a diagnosis to access funding for essential services.

Having a recognised condition can help people connect with others who face similar challenges. This reduces isolation and builds shared understanding. For Aboriginal peoples, safe support groups provide healing through yarning and connection to community, reinforcing the strength of cultural identity in recovery.

Not every emotional or behavioural challenge is a mental disorder, but as we expand diagnostic criteria, more people may be classified as having a condition. This can lead to unnecessary medicalisation of normal human experiences, particularly in communities where stressors like poverty, discrimination and intergenerational trauma play a role in mental wellbeing.

Social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram have made mental health discussions more visible, but they also spread misinformation. Conditions like ADHD, anxiety and depression are often simplified into relatable content that makes them seem more common or easy to self-diagnose. This can create confusion between everyday struggles and clinical conditions that require professional assessment.

Misdiagnosis carries inherent risks. Without input from qualified professionals, people can easily misinterpret their symptoms. For the Aboriginal community, this may also mean missing out on culturally safe healing approaches that address trauma, grief and other social challenges.

While a diagnosis can provide an explanation and sense of purpose, it can also make some feel defined by their condition. When a person believes their situation limits what they can achieve, it can impact motivation for recovery and personal growth. This is especially concerning in addiction recovery, where self-belief and resilience are crucial to healing.

Mental health conditions carry a stigma, particularly in workplaces, education and even within families. For Aboriginal people, the impact of labels can be compounded by existing discrimination and barriers to care. A diagnosis should lead to support, not exclusion or judgment.

Additionally, feeling anxious, sad or unfocused is a natural response to life’s challenges, not always a sign of a disorder. Over-diagnosing mental health concerns risks turning normal emotional experiences into medical problems.

The sad reality is that many people struggle with trauma, grief or addiction without fitting neatly into any medical category. They still need help to address these very real challenges, and the focus should always be on providing care, not whether they meet specific diagnostic criteria.

Requiring a formal diagnosis to access support can create barriers, especially for those lacking the resources or willingness to seek one. Community-led services, focused on cultural healing and lived experience, play a vital role in helping people navigate their struggles without needing a medical label to justify care.

At Marrin Weejali, we empower individuals to overcome their challenges, favouring this approach over being defined by a diagnosis. We offer a welcoming, safe and non-judgmental space to support this journey.

Labels shape the way we see ourselves and how others see us, but they are only words—powerful yet imperfect. They can open doors to support or shut them just as quickly. In some cases, a diagnosis becomes a lifeline, but in others, it creates walls, separating people from the broader understanding they need. A label should never be mistaken for the full story, nor should it dictate the path to healing.

At MarrinWeejali, we offer culturally sensitive counselling and advocacy for anyone struggling. No labels or diagnoses required.

If you or someone you know needs support to overcome addiction, our programs and services are available to both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people in Western Sydney.

You are welcome at Marrin Weejali.

Contact us for a confidential discussion.