Behavorial Health Initiative Action Team
Action Team Goal
The Reduce Stigma Against Substance Use Disorders Action Team is working to evaluate the prevalence of stigma against SUDs and design and implement a campaign to change perceptions of SUDs.
Targeted Problem
Stigma against substance use disorders (SUDs) is a major barrier to accessing services and supports in the region and to living a happy and productive life. Residents with an SUD are likely to avoid seeking the supports they need for fear of negative consequences, such as judgment from friends/family, unpleasant interactions with healthcare providers, or workplace fallout. Despite the reality that substance use disorders are associated with changes in brain circuitry, people with substance use disorders often face significant stigma for “choosing” to use. As a result, they are sometimes viewed as “bad”, “weak”, or “unfit for society”. These public biases against people with SUDs can deter those affected from seeking help.
Our Collective Work
The team received a grant from the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) in 2022 to evaluate and address the stigma toward substance use disorders in the region. Find the resources created by the team below. A list of the Action Team members who contributed to this work can also be found below.
Assessing Stigma Towards SUDs in Northwest Michigan
The Reduce Stigma Against Substance Use Disorders Action Team completed a series of community, provider, and law enforcement/first responder assessments and evaluated the state of stigma around substance use disorders in the region. The team also implemented an assessment of self-stigma amongst people experiencing substance use disorders. The team collected data from 1000+ residents and professionals in the region in 2022 through these assessments. The assessments revealed that stigma against substance use disorders is still a major barrier to accessing services in the region.
Launching a Campaign to Fight Stigma
The Reduce Stigma Against Substance Use Disorders Action Team used the results of the stigma assessment to design a public education campaign. This campaign includes a social media campaign and a series of education programs for providers & law enforcement/first responders. The social media campaign is designed to educate the public about the prevalence of stigma in the region and to inspire them to make changes in their personal & professional lives to affect this. To date, the campaign has reached over 18,000 people.
Challenging the Region to End Stigma
Collaborated with the two other Reduce Stigma Action Teams to develop an educational 21-Day Challenge with links to resources, screening tools, and local supports to reduce stigma against mental illness in Northwest MI. Take the 21-Day Stigma Challenge to learn how to identify and reduce stigma in your everyday life.
Additional Resources to Combat Stigma
Learn about stigma against substance use disorders and what you can do to combat it.
Action Team Members
Since 2021, 33 stakeholders in the NW MI region have been engaged in the work of this Action Team.
Leader
- Donna Norkoli – District Health Department #10
Staff
- Chandra Gunjak – District Health Department #10
- Erin Oleniczak – District Health Department #10
- Emily Pokorski – District Health Department #10
Members
- Jodi Balhorn – Northern Michigan Regional Entity
- Paul Bock – Munson Healthcare
- Kelly Brittain – Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan
- Angie Bruning – AMA ESD Great Start Collaborative
- Savanah Cool – Great Start Collaborative & Parent Coalition
- Christina Dean – Munson Healthcare
- Nick Eckhart – District Health Department #10
- Joyce Fetrow – Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium
- Kelsey Fordyce – Grand Traverse County Health Department
- Rose Goyings – Michigan Meridian
- Timothy Hudson – University of Michigan & Michigan Opioid Collaborative
- Susan Johnson – Networks Northwest
- Stacey Kaminski – Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
- Grayson Lewis – Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services
- Heather Luttrell – Northwest Michigan Works Association
- Pam Lynch – Harm Reduction Michigan
- Jenny Mickelson – Wexford–Missaukee Intermediate School District
- Gerald Morris – Project Unity for Life
- Suzanne Prentice – Live Well Kalkaska Substance Free Coalition/CHS
- Lauren Reed – Grand Traverse County Drug Free Coalition
- Gabe Rheaume – Meridian Health
- Jody Scholl – North Country Community Mental Health
- Nicole Schultz – Wexford Missaukee Manistee Great Start Collaborative
- Aaron Shaner – Munson Healthcare
- Audrey Sharp – Friendship Community Center of Suttons Bay
- Sharon Vreeland – Catholic Human Services
- Laura Wagner – Alcona Health Center
- Carrie Ziegler – Catholic Human Services
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT STIGMA?
- Help us educate the public and reduce stigma against substance use disorders in the region! Post the social media campaign on your personal or agency Facebook pages! You can repost the materials directly from District Health Department #10’s Facebook Page or download the materials in the folder below.
- Access the resources found on the Shatterproof website to take action against stigma in your workplace and the broader community.
- Take the 21-Day Stigma Challenge to learn how to identify and reduce stigma in your everyday life.
