CAMPAIGN PARTNERS
The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Department of Mental Health launch a statewide campaign, Stop Judging. Start Healing, aimed at assisting friends, family, physicians, mental health care clinicians, substance abuse prevention and treatment providers and all people in Alabama to change the way we speak about individuals with mental health illness, substance and opioid use disorders, HIV and Hepatitis C.
The language we use can be hurtful and harming to the people we care about. Using words that help and support others is important. Decreasing stigma surrounding mental health illnesses, substance and opioid use disorders and HIV and Hepatitis C is vital to ensuring accurate information is shared with those we love and care for.
“People with these conditions often fear that others are blaming or judging them,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. “These conditions are manageable, and so it is important for everyone to understand that irrational fear creates barriers to people seeking and receiving care. Compassion helps break these barriers. Everyone deserves dignity, compassion and support.” The campaign encourages the public to have open conversations to break the cycle of stigma by sharing kindness and understanding. Changing the way we talk changes people, and the words providers and families use are powerful.
The statewide campaign consists of television, social media and radio advertisements, with a targeted delivery of information to medical professionals to increase awareness of the importance of the use of people-first language.
Watch the videos, share on social media using #stopjudgingstarthealing, and help change the conversation.
The language we use can be hurtful and harming to the people we care about. Using words that help and support others is important. Decreasing stigma surrounding mental health illnesses, substance and opioid use disorders and HIV and Hepatitis C is vital to ensuring accurate information is shared with those we love and care for.
“People with these conditions often fear that others are blaming or judging them,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. “These conditions are manageable, and so it is important for everyone to understand that irrational fear creates barriers to people seeking and receiving care. Compassion helps break these barriers. Everyone deserves dignity, compassion and support.” The campaign encourages the public to have open conversations to break the cycle of stigma by sharing kindness and understanding. Changing the way we talk changes people, and the words providers and families use are powerful.
The statewide campaign consists of television, social media and radio advertisements, with a targeted delivery of information to medical professionals to increase awareness of the importance of the use of people-first language.
Watch the videos, share on social media using #stopjudgingstarthealing, and help change the conversation.