Through publishing a statement, Turkey Psychiatry Association said that there should not be stigmatization towards the patients who are in treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as calling them “victim” or “diseased”.
“Don’t refer to them as ‘COVID-19 cases’, ‘families of COVID-19 cases’ or ‘diseased’.
They are ‘the people with COVID-19', 'the people who are being treated for COVID-19', 'the people recovering from COVID-19’.”, the statement said. Through publishing a statement, Turkey Psychiatry Association said that there should not be stigmatization towards the patients who are in treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as calling them “victim” or “diseased”.
“Don’t refer to them as ‘COVID-19 cases’, ‘families of COVID-19 cases’ or ‘diseased’. They are ‘the people with COVID-19', 'the people who are being treated for COVID-19', 'the people recovering from COVID-19’.”, the statement said.
In the statement titled # COVID19 and Stigma, it was said, "We propose to fight against the epidemic in solidarity by considering the well-being of others." We recommend a 'human-first' language that respects and empowers people in all communication channels, including the media.
" It was noted that the words used in the media are particularly important and that they will shape the popular language and communication related to the new COVID-19. While the Association lists the category of people whom they define as a “scapegoat” due to the potential of being stigmatized as elders, Chineses, Europeans and foreigners, those returning from abroad, patients and relatives, those who recovered, and healthcare professionals, gave advice to the public, the healthcare professionals, the government and the media regarding “what should or should not be done” to prevent stigmatization.