Eliminate Stigma, by eliminating stigma

White chalk drawing of a seesaw on a blackboard texture. It's tilted to the left with three words in green chalk: 'understanding', 'empathy', and 'support'. On the right, there's a single word: 'stigma'.

Have you ever wondered about the power of a single word? How does that word shape our collective journey towards recovery and wellness? This reflection takes us deep into the world of stigma within the realm of mental health and substance use, uncovering how it acts as both a barrier and a catalyst for change. […]

Dispelling the Stigma Surrounding Psychotherapy 

Woman with light brown hair superimposed on a dreamy landscape of a light pink sky with white clouds and a tranquil light blue body of water.

Much is written and done to battle stigma in mental health these days. Groups such as WISE put out wonderful content to educate the public and eradicate stigma. One primary goal of stigma reduction is to get people past their shame to a point of being willing to seek help for their mental health. Yet there […]

Substance Use Stigma: The Impact on Adolescent Substance Use

Four friends of diverse backgrounds lying in a circle with their heads touching at the center.

“Hello, my name is Gabrielle, and I am an addict”. This is the way people in recovery are generally introduced in recovery meetings. They say their name and declare their addiction to substances. This process over decades has created an identity. The statement, “I am an addict”, has become a point of pride for some, […]

A Story of Self-Stigma, Shame, and a New Direction with Self-Compassion

An adult brunette woman in a white blouse looks at herself in the mirror.

What is stigma? Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines stigma as “a mark of shame or discredit: STAIN.” WISE addresses 3 types of stigma: social stigma, structural stigma, and self-stigma. Do you ever have this feeling? If you only knew this “bad thing” about me (whatever that might be), you wouldn’t This is shame in action. And […]

Why I Cannot Check the Disability Box

A troubled woman filling out a form in an office.

I decided to write this following my last work-related mental health crisis resulting in me “quitting on the spot.” It was the first time I did not ponder about letting go. After weeks of contemplating leaving, I began to give notice in advance leading up to that day based on what I failed to learn […]

5 Strategies to Self-Advocacy Better Using Emotional Intelligence

Against a tri-colored background, a man points to himself for self-awareness, a woman holds her heart for empathy, and another man fist bumps for social skills.

Have you ever taken inventory of your social circles and asked yourself, “Do I feel seen, supported or psychologically (emotionally) safe?” If you answered “no” to any of these three areas, it may lead to difficulty with speaking up for yourself which is known as self-advocacy. This is your ability to communicate your own interests, […]