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Someone is staring at you, and it makes you feel self-conscious. Maybe it feels like they are judging something about you. Is it your hair? Your clothes? Maybe it’s because you just look out of place? We are all vulnerable to the subconscious practice of judging others and we are all responsible for recognizing and stopping it. Stigma around mental health is present in our society. You probably know someone with a mental health disorder such as a substance use disorder (SUD) since 1 in 5 people in Canada (which is over 6 million people) will have a mental health challenge in their lifetime, according to CAMH statistics. 1 in 10 Canadians experience substance use problems today. Another CAMH fact is that young people, ages 15 to 24, are more likely to experience mental illness and/or SUD than any other age group. With so many people affected, it is important to educate yourself, combat stigma and offer the right kind of support.
Many mental health disorders commonly occur at the same time. SUD is a mental health condition. People with one mental health disorder are twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder as well as due to:
People often see substance use disorder as an individual's choice.
This is untrue. Research has shown that SUDs, such as opioid use disorder are a disease, similar to hypertension, schizophrenia or diabetes. Negative stigma can have a severe impact on a person who uses and can be a barrier to seeking help. People with mental health and substance use challenges don’t want to be judged or treated differently, and they are often reluctant to seek help because of those fears.
When we mistakenly think substance use is not a real illness and people “could choose to stop”, we severely limit the kind of support we can offer to an individual. Stigma can affect a person’s mental health and can affect a person’s relationship with substances.
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, 8 in 10 Canadians with a Substance Use Disorder say they experienced barriers to recovery, including stigma.
Stigma around mental health and substance use can lead a person to avoid getting help because they are afraid of “getting in trouble” with their loved ones, at school, or at work. It can also cause a person to hide their substance use and encourage them to use alone. Stigma can affect a person’s ability to find a job and housing, which contributes to their overall mental health and quality of life.
What can you do to combat stigma?
Follow these helpful tips from the YMCA’s Youth Opioids Awareness Program:
Remember biases can be unlearned.
Identifying and challenging negative stereotypes or myths in the media is one way to reframe the way we think about mental health and substance use disorder. When we work to acknowledge, understand, and challenge our own stigmas around mental health and substance use, we help to create a safer, more open community for ourselves and our peers. It takes a community to help a person who uses. It is a life-long commitment to combat stigma, and with continued education, support, and open conversation we can work together to find solutions.
Learn more about our Youth Opioids Awareness Program and sign up for a series of six workshops for youth ages 15 to 24. You can also check out our other blog posts that provide helpful information and tips about opioids.
If you are struggling with opioids or know someone who needs help, contact these resources:
National Overdose Response Service (NORS)
1-888-688-6677
Brave App
www.towardtheheart.com
Someone is staring at you, and it makes you feel self-conscious. Maybe it feels like they are judging something about you. Is it your hair? Your clothes? Maybe it’s because you just look out of place? We are all vulnerable to the subconscious practice of judging others and we are all responsible for recognizing and stopping it. Stigma around mental health is present in our society. You probably know someone with a mental health disorder such as a substance use disorder (SUD) since 1 in 5 people in Canada (which is over 6 million people) will have a mental health challenge in their lifetime, according to CAMH statistics. 1 in 10 Canadians experience substance use problems today. Another CAMH fact is that young people, ages 15 to 24, are more likely to experience mental illness and/or SUD than any other age group. With so many people affected, it is important to educate yourself, combat stigma and offer the right kind of support.
Many mental health disorders commonly occur at the same time. SUD is a mental health condition. People with one mental health disorder are twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder as well as due to:
- Common risk factors like family history, genetics, stress and trauma can be passed down through generations.
- People with mental health disorders can use substances to self-medicate.
- Substance use and SUD can lead to the development of other mental health issues.
People often see substance use disorder as an individual's choice.
This is untrue. Research has shown that SUDs, such as opioid use disorder are a disease, similar to hypertension, schizophrenia or diabetes. Negative stigma can have a severe impact on a person who uses and can be a barrier to seeking help. People with mental health and substance use challenges don’t want to be judged or treated differently, and they are often reluctant to seek help because of those fears.
When we mistakenly think substance use is not a real illness and people “could choose to stop”, we severely limit the kind of support we can offer to an individual. Stigma can affect a person’s mental health and can affect a person’s relationship with substances.
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, 8 in 10 Canadians with a Substance Use Disorder say they experienced barriers to recovery, including stigma.
Stigma around mental health and substance use can lead a person to avoid getting help because they are afraid of “getting in trouble” with their loved ones, at school, or at work. It can also cause a person to hide their substance use and encourage them to use alone. Stigma can affect a person’s ability to find a job and housing, which contributes to their overall mental health and quality of life.
What can you do to combat stigma?
Follow these helpful tips from the YMCA’s Youth Opioids Awareness Program:
- Use person-first language. Instead of “drug user” or “addict” use terms like “person who uses” or “someone with a Substance Use Disorder”.
- Talk openly. Engage in open, compassionate conversation.
- Educate yourself and others. Commit to ongoing learning and challenging stereotypes.
- Be aware of your own attitudes and beliefs. We are all influenced by what we see, hear, and read. Work on your thought processes and challenge your filters.
Remember biases can be unlearned.
Identifying and challenging negative stereotypes or myths in the media is one way to reframe the way we think about mental health and substance use disorder. When we work to acknowledge, understand, and challenge our own stigmas around mental health and substance use, we help to create a safer, more open community for ourselves and our peers. It takes a community to help a person who uses. It is a life-long commitment to combat stigma, and with continued education, support, and open conversation we can work together to find solutions.
Learn more about our Youth Opioids Awareness Program and sign up for a series of six workshops for youth ages 15 to 24. You can also check out our other blog posts that provide helpful information and tips about opioids.
If you are struggling with opioids or know someone who needs help, contact these resources:
National Overdose Response Service (NORS)
1-888-688-6677
Brave App
www.towardtheheart.com
