depression-sensitive-content

Depression-Sensitive Content

Purpose

This skill audits and rewrites product content to reduce shame language, lower cognitive load, and improve emotional safety for people affected by depression. It applies person-first language, avoids stigmatizing terminology, and ensures content is emotionally safe without being clinical or prescriptive.

When to Use

• "Make this content more sensitive to people with depression"
• "Remove stigmatizing language from this text"
• "Audit this page for mental health sensitivity"
• "Rewrite this for emotional safety"
• "Improve cognitive accessibility for depressed users"
• "Check for shame-inducing language"
• "Suggest gentler alternatives to this phrasing"

Boundaries

Always

• Use person-first language: "person living with depression" NOT "depressed person"
• Avoid terms like "suffering from," "mentally ill," "victim of depression"
• Never provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations
• Include crisis resources when content discusses suicidal ideation
• Preserve scientific accuracy when discussing depression

Ask First

• Ask user before suggesting professional help if no crisis indicators present
• Confirm before adding clinical terminology to non-clinical content
• Verify cultural context before applying language guidelines

Never

• Never use phrases like "committed suicide" (use "died by suicide")
• Never describe depression as "a disease" or "mental illness" in casual contexts
• Never use "mentally ill" as a noun
• Never suggest depression is a "choice" or "weakness"
• Never provide therapy techniques in non-therapeutic contexts
• Never promise cures or treatments

Principles

This skill is grounded in the Humanity4AI core principles and the following skill-specific principles:

1. Non-clinical scope is absolute. This skill provides content design guidance, not clinical advice. Any content that touches on clinical treatment must be flagged in safety_flags.
2. Stigma reduction is the primary goal. Language that pathologises, dramatises, or trivialises depression must be identified and rewritten.
3. Cognitive load matters. People affected by depression may have reduced working memory and attention. Content must be chunked, clear, and low-demand.
4. Explicit uncertainty over false reassurance. Avoid language that promises recovery or implies a simple path to wellness.
5. Escalation paths are mandatory. Any content that touches on crisis, self-harm, or suicidality must include escalation guidance.