Division of Behavioral Health Services
Fight Stigma
Stigmatization of people with mental disorders has persisted throughout history. It is manifested by bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger, and/or avoidance. Stigma refers to a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid, and discriminate against people with mental illnesses.
Why should we care?
Stigma influences how people interact with those with behavioral health challenges, including socializing, working with, renting to, or employing them especially those with severe disorders.
Who is affected by behavioral health disorders?
Due to negative public perceptions, a persons' access to resources and opportunities, such as housing, employment and funding for care, can be seriously affected. The discrimination associated with stigma can seriously affect a person's willingness to seek or even stay in treatment. When stigma is internalized, self-esteem, sense of dignity and full participation in society can be diminished to the point that embarrassment or shame replaces confidence and help-seeking behavior.
1 in 4 people are affected by behavioral health disorders any day. This includes friends, family, co-workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, athletes—it can be anyone!
What would it look like if everyone with mental illness lived in one state?
If 57.7 million people with diagnosable mental illness all lived in one state, what would that look like? Imagine a state the size of California, New York, Rhode Island, and the U.S. Virgin Islands combined plus an additional 33,849 people. It would clearly be the largest populated state in the United States.
Mental Health: Everyone Has It!
Reducing stigma and promoting inclusion is a societal responsibility. It takes all of us to make a difference. After all, every human being—no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, orientation, income or geographical location—has mental health.
Join the Movement!
Overcoming stigma and increasing community inclusion starts with one person at a time and grows from there. Even one person can make a big difference! You can start by simply being more aware of the language
you use.
Then educate yourself and others about mental health and learn the many more things
you can do to help fight stigma!
Arizona's Statewide Initiative to Reduce Stigma
In an effort to reduce stigma and build a greater sense of inclusion that supports people with mental illness and substance use challenges within their own communities, the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) implemented a vigorous statewide stigma reduction initiative. The Arizona Stigma Reduction Committee (ASRC) was established to lead the charge. Get involved today!
You Can Help Fight Stigma
- Know the facts about mental illness and substance use disorders.
- Educate others - share what you've learned.
- Invite the Arizona Stigma Reduction Committee (ASRC) to conduct a presentation
or an Arizona Dialogue for your organization, association or faith community. - Choose your words carefully - language matters.
- Be aware of your own attitudes and behavior - recognize the signs and get help if you need it.
- Be supportive and compassionate with people who experience behavioral health challenges.
- Encourage people in their recovery.
- Welcome everyone to your community and place of worship.
- Hire people in recovery from behavioral health challenges.
- Take care of your mental health just as you do your physical health.
- Volunteer your time and skills to help behavioral health organizations.
- Make financial donations to non-profit behavioral health organizations serving your community.
- Donate clothing and household items to nonprofit organizations.
- Fight Stigma: Articles of Interest
- Fight Stigma: Arizona & National Resources
References:
Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, 1999
Penn & Martin, 1998; Corrigan & Penn, 1999
Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America Final Report, July 2003