What is Stigma-Free?

Stigma-Free Campaign

The stigma-free campaign is a community program aimed at reducing the stigma of mental illness. Through powerful words and actions, we aim to shift the social and systemic barriers for people who live with mental health conditions.  We are dedicated to raising awareness of the disease of mental illness, and we will create a culture wherein people feel supported by their community and neighbors to seek treatment without the fear.

Why Be Stigma-Free?

Approximately 1 in 5 adults are affected by mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety or alcohol and substance use disorders.  Despite the prevalence of mental illness, more than half of people affected will not seek treatment. The primary reason individuals fail to seek the help they need is due to the stigma associated with the disease of mental illness. Such stigmas evoke a sense of shame and fear of judgment from friends, family and co-workers. These stigmas are often based in a lack of knowledge or training. It is our goal to disseminate information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help and support they need.

Joining the Stigma-Free Initiative will:

• Educate residents that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such

• Raise awareness of the prevalence of mental illness in our community

• Provoke public interest in learning what is “STIGMA-FREE”

• Providing residents an opportunity to become involved in their community

• Allow people living with the disease to feel supported by their community and thus decrease feelings of isolation and shame

• Link people in need to local mental health resources

• Raise awareness that care is accessible regardless of income

About 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in any given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). About 1 in 5 youth experiences a severe mental disorder at some point in life. Mental illness is more widespread than many people think!

The umbrella of mental illness covers depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder ADHD, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and many other health conditions that can interfere with daily life. Genetics, environment and lifestyle are contributing factors in the development of mental illness.

Mental illness is more treatable than many people think! Studies show that as many as 40 percent of people struggling with a mental illness forgo treatment, and perceived stigma is a primary reason. Other barriers include lack of knowledge about healthcare, an inability to recognize one’s own symptoms, and inadequate information about healthcare resources.

The teen years are a critical time for awareness and action: According to NAMI “half of mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% of mental health conditions develop by age 24. The normal personality and behavior changes of adolescence may mimic or mask symptoms of a mental health condition. Early engagement and support are crucial to improving outcomes and increasing the promise of recovery.”

Our goal is to share information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help they need. We can reach that goal with YOU!

Join the Stigma-Free Initiative to support:

• Educating residents that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such

• Raising awareness of the prevalence of mental illness in our community

• Provoking public interest in learning what is “STIGMA-FREE”

• Providing residents with opportunities to become involved in their community

• Allowing people living with an illness to feel supported by their community, reducing feelings of isolation and shame

• Linking people in need to local mental health resources

• Raising awareness that care is accessible regardless of income