Mental health and substance use problems are very common. By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have, or have had, a mental illness. This tells us that at some point in our lives we are very likely to experience a mental health or substance use problem or know someone – a friend, family member, colleague – who is living with one. Stigma against people with mental illnesses is oppressive and alienating. It prevents many from seeking help, denying them access to the support networks and treatment they need to recover.

To start off this booster, we’ll look at the impact of stigma in First Responder workplaces, and then we’ll review and define the different types of stigma people experience.