A recent NHS guidance document from the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has suggested that individuals seeking mental health support should no longer be referred to as "patients." Instead, the guidance proposes using alternative terms such as "service leader," "expert by experience," "consumer," or "person with a mental illness." This shift in language has sparked criticism on social media, with some users calling the change "silly" and "confusing." Each year, around 75,491 children and young people in England visit major hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments due to mental health concerns. The guidance, which was published over a year ago, has recently come under scrutiny after backlash on social media. Critics argue that the new terminology is unclear and could create confusion, potentially making it harder for healthcare providers and individuals to communicate effectively. Dr. Lucy Hooper, a private general practitioner and co-founder of Coyne Medical, and Dr. Ali Ross, a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, both argue that the term "patient" is not inherently negative and that the change in language does not necessarily help those seeking medical support. Dr. Hooper explains that the word "patient" comes from the Latin "pati," meaning "to suffer" or "to endure," and emphasizes that the focus should be on the care provided rather than the label used. Dr. Ross adds that some of the alternative terms suggested in the guidance, such as "service leader," can be misleading unless the individual is actually leading a service. He also notes that terms like "expert by experience" can be useful but must be used carefully to avoid undermining the expertise of healthcare professionals. The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust responded to the backlash by clarifying that the guidance is not an official policy but was developed with input from individuals using mental health services and staff. The Trust explained that the guidance was created in response to feedback that certain language discouraged some individuals from accessing NHS support. They emphasized that the goal was to use more inclusive language to make people feel more comfortable seeking help.