WHY DOES STIGMA MATTER? Stigma keeps people from the best possible care. Women with substance use disorders, infectious diseases, mental health, or other health conditions can often feel judged and blamed by family, friends, and healthcare providers, which can keep them from getting the care they need. Discover how you can help reduce health-related stigma among all moms and babies so they can get the support and care they need. Stigma is giving someone an undesirable label based on negative social perceptions. Designed for people who work in health-related fields, this interactive site will help you learn how stigma can impact the healthcare and support women need, seek and receive. Scroll down the page to discover why stigma happens, hear stories about the impact of stigma, and learn specific ways you can become a change agent to reduce stigma in your workplace or community. STIGMA: UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM “If we do not appreciate the nature and impact of stigma, none of our interventions can begin to be successful.” Edward Cameron, Constitutional Court Justice, South Africa What is stigma and why does it happen? Click the tabs below to understand the roots of stigma and recognize the signs of stigma in your work. What is stigma? Why does stigma matter? Why does stigma happen? What does stigma look like? LIFT THE WEIGHT OF WORDS “Words are things….They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.” – Maya Angelou THE EFFECTS OF STIGMA Social Isolation Delayed Diagnoses Poor Quality of Life Reduced Adherence to Treatments Less Access to Healthcare Illness and Death BEYOND LABELS DO YOUR PART TO REDUCE STIGMA STORIES OF STIGMA See me for who I am. I am not a label. I am not my health condition. I am me. Click each image below to see and hear stories from people impacted by stigma. Stories are based on actual people and events. However, to protect privacy, some details have been changed or stories compiled. WHAT YOU CAN DO Discover how you can make a difference by reducing stigma in your workplace and community. CLEAN SLATE Click the circles below to advance the content. It’s natural for us to associate certain things and beings with broader groups and patterns of behavior. It’s a biological trait that helps us process and approach situations with caution. For example, we learn to group animals that have large bodies, quick movements and sharp teeth, like lions, with other predators. Doing this helps us proceed carefully and protect ourselves by not petting the lion like we would a house cat. SAY THIS, NOT THAT Make a commitment to stop using words that stigmatize, dehumanize and are harmful to others. And not just when you’re talking to someone with a stigmatized health condition. It might not always seem obvious, but how we speak and the words we put out into the world affect the perceptions and attitudes around us. Health conditions and the challenges someone is facing can be invisible. You don’t always know who you are talking to and who else is listening. USE PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE Person-first language puts the person before the diagnosis. It emphasizes the person, not their medical condition or disability. Rearranging words is a powerful way to not let the diagnosis define the person. To see alternative language for some stigmatizing words, click on the diamonds below. 1. Be aware of your own prejudice A first step toward reducing stigma is to recognize that you hold judgmental attitudes and beliefs. Try reflecting and reframing automatic thoughts. Download our tool. 2. Always use person-first language By using person-first language—“someone with opioid use disorder” as compared with “an addict”—you can also change others’ beliefs and perceptions. Don’t perpetuate stigma by defining people by their condition or situation. Download our tool. 3. Educate yourself and others Show this toolkit to your coworkers, friends, and family who might want to reduce stigma. Share on social media how you’re making a difference to reduce stigma. 4. Make your work a “judgment-free zone” Encourage your workplace to sign a letter of commitment to be free from judgment and stigma. Also, consider asking employees to sign a pledge or you can post “judgment-free zone" signs around the building. 5. Start conversations about stigma Share your own experiences with stigma to build empathy with others. Instead of calling out an individual for stigmatizing behaviors, share a time when you internalized negative beliefs based on stereotypes. Download tips for talking about stigma in your organization. 6. Form a stigma-free task force Gather a team of people across all levels of your workplace or organization and kick off a stigma-free task force by developing an action plan to reduce stigma. The task force can organize special events or trainings about reducing stigma. Download our tool on ideas for action. BE A CHANGE AGENT You don’t have to alter your entire workplace or community to help reduce stigma. Small changes can have an impact and lead to even bigger changes. Here are 6 ways you can reduce stigma, starting with quick wins and leading to bigger efforts. KEEP LEARNING The learning and growing doesn’t stop here. Check out these additional resources to expand your stigma knowledge and find more ways to create change. RESOURCES FRAMEWORK REFERENCES PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND IDEAS Name: Enter Name Email: Enter Email Want to partner with us? Do you have a condition or topic you would like us to focus on next? Or are you interested in a training for your organization? We want to hear from you. Please select your interests below: Partnership Arranged speaking engagement Trainings for my organization Building a custom training module or website on a specific health topic Please share additional details about your interests. Enter Your Message Are you aware of other resources we should feature on Beyond Labels? Enter Your Message Submit CONTACT US MARCH FOR BABIES DONATE Get to Know Us Prematurity Research Peristats Gift Guide eCard Professionals Partners Careers Annual Report Connect With Us March of Dimes fights for the health of all moms and babies. We're advocating for policies to protect them. We're working to radically improve the health care they receive. We're pioneering research to find solutions. We're empowering families with the knowledge and tools to have healthier pregnancies. By uniting communities, we're building a brighter future for us all. @ 20212021 March of Dimes, a not-for-profit, section 501c(3). 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