THE INFLUENCE OF LANGUAGE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Language plays a very important role in shaping mental health perceptions, emotions, and cognitive processes. This multidisciplinary review synthesizes evidence from psychology, linguistics, and sociology to examine the complex relationship between language and mental wellness. A systematic search of major databases yielded many studies that met inclusion criteria. Results highlight language’s impact on mental health through stigma, emotional regulation, social support, and cognitive biases. Theoretical frameworks, including social constructionism, cognitive linguistics, and discourse analysis, provide nuanced insights. Implications for practice include language-aware therapy, mental health literacy and supportive communication. Limitations and further research directive are also discussed.