2. 2
So…Why stigma? Why now?
How we do the work needs to be as
important as meeting deliverables
Stigma has been largely normalized
• (Providers live in the world too)
3. 3
So…Why stigma? Why now?
Shifts in the political & funding
landscapes
Stigma is a root cause of:
• Unhealthy
communities/relationships
• Disease transmission
• Death
4. 4
Project Overview
Funding from NYS DOH AIDS Institute
3-hour training curriculum
• PP, Facilitator’s Guide, Participant Workbook
Target Audience: “Non-clinical providers”
So far: 8 trainings throughout NYS
5. 5
Curriculum Approach:
Increase Cultural Competency
Make concepts tangible
Translate knowledge -> Practice
Create safety for introspection &
self-assessment
10. 10
Lessons-Learned: Content
Stigma vs. prejudice vs. discrimination
Struggle with embracing some key HR
concepts:
• Drug use management (“functional” use)
• Abstinence-based language
Language is key
Us vs. Them is pervasive
11. 11
A few more lessons learned...
Few outlets to really explore stigma
Takes time & commitment
It’s difficult & almost always very personal
There are many “baby steps” that can
make a big difference.
How we do the work needs to be as important as meeting deliverables
it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of keeping programs running - but how the work is done matters - and requires attention.
not as simple as “if you build it, they will come” - stigma=trauma and people will do what they need to do to avoid being traumatized
We are the “good” guys - what does it say if we do not confront and challenge stigma? It reinforces the same negative experiences that people have had and perpetuates internalized shame which has real consequence on outcomes.
It comes up in pretty much every single training that HRC does - became clear that we couldn’t take the impact of stigma for granted, and that we needed to devote some very pointed attention to it.
Stigma has been largely normalized
Someone asked me the other day why stigma was such a big issue for providers...
It’s because Providers live in the world too and stigma against drug users is so pervasive (whether it is bold discrimination or subtle patronizing attitudes)
And it’s complicated...because the work is hard - sometimes we see shit that is frustrating, or hard, or terrible, and it’s easy to fall into the trap...
Shifts in the political and funding landscape
HR, in some ways (sometimes in name only) is becoming more widespread
Of course, HR is more than a single worker in a sea of non-HR workers..but...
Part of what makes HR what it is, is that it is rooted in a rich history of social justice, community, and respect for drug users.
We want HR to take off - and we want it to be a broad and diverse movement - AND, all the more reason to focus on stigma now - give people an outlet to explore some of these tricky, sometimes very personal issues
Stigma is a root cause of disease, unhealthy communities/relationships and death
Seems a bit dramatic...but it’s very real - ex: internalized stigma, support networks, use behaviors and patterns, willingness to seek treatment and help, willingness to talk openly and honestly - all shaped by stigma. OD, HIV, HCV, etc...
Stigma more damaging than drugs or other behaviors
Tangible overview
What is stigma…why is it important?
Knowledge Practice
Increase cultural competency
Provide tools/strategies
Introspective
How do we perpetuate drug-related stigma?
GOALS
Identify and explore the reach of drug-related stigma.
Name strategies for confronting drug-related stigma.
Promote productive service provision that avoids stigmatizing people who use drugs.
Lecture/Interactive Discussion
Present some basic information...framework for thinking about the issue...
Think about stigma from a drug-related and non-drug related perspective
create a space for people to explore the issues...find personal relevance Personal Relevance
Define concepts...
Activities
Independent and Group
Quote exercise
Round-robin
Small groups
Multi-media
Video - whitney!
Trying to find an exercise that revealed the many layers that wasn’t at the same time stigmatizing.
Emphasize flexibility
trainer flexibility - bring self and own experience to the training
Offer examples, encourage trainers to adapt as needed
Use teachable moments...some trainings become much more about discussion...some the activities are the key.
Provide a different insight...shift perspective..so, it may not always be what is the client doing wrong...but, what is my role, how can i make the service more appealing.
Analyze some of the ways we perpetuate stigma in a way that is removed, but still relevant - applying the institutional lens
Wanted to provide steps that people could take at different levels of the process...
- so, for some, they may be able to challenge non-traditional service boundaries..work at the relationship level
- for other, may be about getting more education, for others, language assessment or getting involved in community advocacy
It’s not about answers
Relationships, language and labels
This is a beginning...
Individual - Agency - Community levels
HR & STIGMA
Accepts that stigma is a part of the world
There are ways to manage & challenge stigma
Stigma intersects with other forms of marginalization & oppression
When challenging stigma, meet all people where they’re at
Acknowledges that change is hard, values incremental change