We are committed to ending stigma
There is a role for everyone in achieving this aim. However, centring, respecting, and nurturing the voices of people that have been directly and personally impacted by the harms of drug and alcohol use and engaging their expertise is vital to ensuring that we as a community are getting this right.
People with lived and living experience are best placed to speak on the issues that affect them and have unique insight into the real-world negative impact of stigma, conversely, they know better than anyone the vast difference that good practice and inclusion can have on the course of people’s lives.
This space has been created to amplify intersecting and individual experiences. By hearing and responding to views that are different from our own we can critically assess and address challenges together.
Tap the images below to read personal experiences of stigma
Language matters
The Anti-Stigma Network aims to call out stigma by highlighting discriminatory attitudes, policy and practise and championing and amplifying examples of inclusion. Use of language matters within in all these areas and there is a general consensus about the words and phrases that may in certain contexts propagate stigma. However, language is complex and intent and context can change meaning. Therefore, for those reasons you may see words and phrases on our website that appear at odds to this consensus. As we collectively develop our understanding around stigma and language we believe at present it is better that people speak freely than fear speaking at all.
We acknowledge the courage and emotional toil that sharing personal, often traumatic experiences can take and thank everyone that has partnered with us to use their experience in order to drive change.
To share your experience contact us