Reducing Stigma for the stigmatized and stigma supportersBy, Nakiba Tuggle

Table of Contents

What is Stigma?Why is it Important?Who Does it Affect?

You know when your are supporting stigmatizing behavior when…

You have self-stigma when…Ways to Prevent Stigma

The EnD…

What is Stigma?Stigma is, defined by Google,

as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular

circumstance, quality, or person. “The stigma of mental

disorder"

why is it important?

Stigma is important because it was reported by people with a mental illness report to have

experienced stigma at least three or four times DURING THE COURSE OF THEIR ILLNESS.

why is it important?Stigma is a mark of disgrace that

sets a person apart from mainstream members of our society.

why is it important? When a person is

labelled by their illness they are

seen as part of a stereotyped

group.

Negative attitudes create prejudice which

leads to negative actions and

discrimination.

Who Does Stigma Affect?

It is known for Stigma to effect the lives of people living with:

Mental Illness HIV AIDS and other illnesses not mentioned.

You know when your are supporting stigmatizing

behavior when…

• You are stereotyping people because of their illness or disability.

• You are alienating them from you because of their illness or disability.

• You are negatively labeling people with names that are far less than positive. (i.e. crazy)

• You are making blanket assumptions that all people affected by the disability or illness are not treatable in order to justify your stereotyping.

• You are being too evasive and afraid to engage in any contact with people who have the illness or disability, out of fear it could damage your reputation.

You have self-stigma when…

• You feel ashamed and embarrassed to share your diagnosis out fear of alienation or being ostracized because of your illness.

• You are not compliant with taking your medication because you don’t want to let anyone know that you take medication.

• You feel like your life is doomed forever and that you will never seek fulfillment in your life because of your diagnosis.

• You feel extra sensitive being around other people who have the same or similar diagnosis’s, because you repeatedly compare yourself to them.

Ways to Prevent Stigma support NAMI’s to Educate, Inform, and Inspire

Educate yourself and others about Mental illness, HIV, AIDS and other illnesses where stigma may be present.

Inform - Share stories or information with your community about how reducing stigma supporting behaviors has positively impacted your life and hopefully the lives others too.

Inspire- Continue to inspire others by supporting anti-stigma behaviors when you witness it first hand. Be an example to others and POSITIVELY standup and promote anti-stigma behavior. (i.e. no stereotyping)

Reducing Stigma for the stigmatized and stigma supporters

Nakiba is a native of Westchester, New York and a mother of two children. She graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor Arts in English with a concentration in Literature and Culture. Before the onset of her diagnosis, Nakiba was an Educator for the Urban League of Long Island, a Substitute English Teacher for a Juvenile Secured Facility and several school districts, and a Teacher, Assistant Trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, to teach children with Autism and other learning disabilities. Her all time passion is writing Nakiba’s upcoming ebook and hard print series are titled, “ Caught While Resisting Medication.”Copyright © 2016 [Nakiba Tuggle]. All Rights Reserved.