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Yes I find it offensive language too Rebekah. You do appear in a difficult situation in terms of your insecure employment contract. Is the invitation you refer to open to members of staff only or is it also open to friends and partners of members of staff. If the latter, this could provide a way into raising the issue - ie. it is not only about how the deparment is representing itself to itself, it is also about how the department represents itself to teh wider community. Arguing from the perspective of the latter might afford you some protection, but still enable you to raise the issue - ie. you are worried about how the department is presenting itself to others and your anticipation that the department might harm's it own reputation by usign such terminology. This way you could position yourself as someone trying to help the department avoid a problem rather than it being about you 'creating' a problem. I suppose beware of being marginalised, individualised and ulitmately institutionalised by your department. Psychologists have a whole toolbag at their disposal to do this to you. There is a good literature on the disabilist use of language. I can try and dig out references if you like You've taught me much about working in a non-oppressive way, i'm delighted to support you on this issue in any way I can. Could I copy this to a couple of critical psychologists who work in an around mental health issues (Ian Parker & Erica Burman) to seek their support for you too? - but risks making it more public than you are able to make it at present? p Paul Duckett Community Psychologist Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology Elizabeth Gaskill Building Manchester Metropolitan University Hathersage Road Manchester M13 0JA +44 161 247 2552 +44 161 247 6364 e-mail [log in to unmask]