originally posted on 17-02-2021 8:13 PM

How can stigma negatively impact on those who are already struggling  (e.g. barriers to help seeking)? Who is most vulnerable to the harmful effects of stigma? Are there any protective factors against stigma?
I think that stigma can discourage people from confiding in other people about their experiences out of fear of what other people would think. I think that it can make it hard for people to seek help for themselves. I read lots of articles about people who felt ashamed and worried about seeking financial support or using food banks during the pandemic because they didn't want to be seen as being 'poor'. I think that one of the factors that can make stigma more harmful is if a person already has low self esteem. During low points of my life, I thought that my struggles weren't as bad as other people's and that I did not deserve to have help.
Some protective factors against stigma could include feeling connected to family, friends and other people and having good self esteem.

originally posted on 17-02-2021 7:51 PM

What is stigma? What kind of struggles are often stigmatised? Are there groups of people who are more likely to face stigma (e.g. based on their identity, what they do, etc.)?

Stigma can refer to negative attitudes towards certain characteristics or features of a person. Stigma is founded on inaccurate and false beliefs, yet has a profound impact on our wellbeing. Mental health is highly stigmatised, for example people with mental illnesses are sometimes seen as wanting attention, which is completely false. Other groups of people, usually marginalised groups, face stigma as well. This includes LGBTQIA+ people, religious and ethnic minorities, women, and disabled people, amongst other groups. 

originally posted on 17-02-2021 7:54 PM

@featuringme  I definitely think that the group a person belongs to can make it more likely that they will face stigma. For example, women with physical or mental health symptoms were written off as having 'hysteria' for decades.

originally posted on 17-02-2021 7:46 PM

What is stigma? What kind of struggles are often stigmatised? Are there groups of people who are more likely to face stigma (e.g. based on their identity, what they do, etc.)?
I think that stigma is when other people disapprove of or associate a particular group with bad things. Struggles such as drug or alcohol use, homelessness, mental health issues, chronic pain, functional disorders, certain medical conditions are often stigmatised, amongst lots of kinds of struggles. I definitely think that certain groups of people are more likely to face stigma and that this can be influenced by factors such as their race, gender, culture, sexuality, what they work as, where they live, etc.

originally posted on 17-02-2021 7:21 PM

Possibly.... will see how I go otherwise might read it another time!! 

originally posted on 12-02-2021 11:39 PM

Just posting here so I get the notifications!

originally posted on 15-02-2021 2:06 PM

I am SO excited for this one - such an incredibly important conversation to have

originally posted on 16-02-2021 2:08 PM

Tagging some mods and builders who might be interested 🙂

@Anzelmo @Hozzles @elta25 @Addie_DCLXVI @WinterCalvino @ayrc_1904 @sunnygirl606 @Kittybal @A_Friend @AmazingPUMP @LeapofFaith @Wathan @wanderingwasp @featuringme @Emlo @mol1912 @GioDes @Sunnybear @Maybel9595 @nixh 

Sorry if I've missed anyone.

originally posted on 16-02-2021 6:34 PM

I'll be free to help tomorrow! Can't wait to participate in a very important discussion 

originally posted on 16-02-2021 2:12 PM

Aw, this sounds like such a good topic but I can't make it! 

Definitely want to check in to see what you guys all talk about though aftewards!