Today I connected with a group of people who learned about the stigma of mental health and addiction. They said stigma is an external issue and is not self-induced. Stigmatizing – People with mental health challenges are incapable, fragile, dangerous, and cannot recover. Discriminating – I don’t want them to live next door, be a co-worker, or marry into my family. Beliefs – They are less than. Discrimination Structural – Institutional, organizational, and governmental limits to availability, accessibility, and acceptability.
I struggle with my role and how I can go about reducing stigma in the environment around me. I went to the following website to learn more: https://eliminatestigma.org/understand-stigma/ One of the best ways to address stigma is to tell my story. My book offers an honest, compassionate, and healing message to reduce stigma.
How can you bring the conversation to your congregation, school system, business, non-profit organizations, groups, and other avenues in your community? A congregation in my community has a book club. They selected my book to read. There were about 12 people in the club. My wife and I were invited to join the group for a discussion and answer their questions. My heart was moved by their desire to hear and understand mental health and addictions. Taking small steps overtime can have an enormous impact.
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/