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Division of Behavioral Health Services

Arizona Stigma Reduction Committee

Mental Health: Everyone Has It!

Membership Roster | Resources | Contact Us | Brochure [Espanol]

Get to Know the Arizona Stigma Reduction Committee:

The goal of the Arizona Stigma Reduction Committee is tobuild a greater sense of inclusion that supports people with mental health and substance use challenges within their own communities, and encourages them to seek and maintain treatment when it is needed.

  • Members of the Committee are service recipients, family members, community membersand behavioral health professionals from aroundour state.
  • The Committee produces and promotes activities that raise awareness about mental health and substance use.
  • Educates and informs the public andbehavioral health communities about stigma and how to reduce it.
  • The Committee addresses discrimination and prejudice towards persons with behavioral health diagnoses and their family members through advocacy and information related to recovery, inclusion and wellness.

The Committee does this by:

  • Partnering statewide with individuals and families who have lived experience, work in the Division of Behavioral Health Services (particularly its Office of Individualand Family Affairs), peer- and family-run agencies, and behavioral health organizations.
  • Providing opportunities for diverse groups of people to talk frankly with one another about mental health and system issues through our Arizona Dialogues programPDF.
  • Making informational materials, such as the “Help Reduce Stigma in Arizona”brochure, available to all and giving presentationsthat inform and invite people to join the statewide movement to reduce stigma.
  • Encouraging the advocacy community to support one another’s activities andwork cooperatively to bea power that moves the stigma reduction movement forward in Arizona.
  • Spreading the message that we must all care for our mental healthjust as we do our physical health.
  • Getting the word out about statewide events, conferences andthe many opportunities available for people from all walks of life to get involved in activities that further the cause of inclusion and stigma reduction.

Reducing stigma related to mental health and substance use and fostering inclusion is not the sole responsibility of any one committee, though. It takes all of us to do this in the course of living our everyday lives. After all, every human being -no matter their age, gender, ethnicity or geographical location - has mental health. Reducing stigma and increasing inclusion starts with one person at a time and grows from there.

So, yes, YOU can make a big difference! You can start by being more aware of the language you use (see Stigma: Language MattersPDF).

Resources:

Local

National

Articles of Interest

Contact Us:

  • Tracy Young
    Community Outreach & Projects Specialist II
    602-364-4606
    1-800-867-5808 (toll-free)
  • Chaz Longwell
    Community Liaison
    602-364-4662
    1-800-867-5808 (toll-free)