MOUNT VERNON — Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties has
partnered with Addiction Policy Forum to launch a community survey.
The survey is part of a nationwide Anti-Stigma Initiative.
The goal is to gather a better understanding of the attitudes and knowledge people have of addiction.
It also seeks to help communities identify where addiction literacy and targeted interventions need to be implemented.
Addiction is one of the most stigmatized health conditions in society today.
Individuals with substance use disorder are subject to moral judgments and discrimination.
These negative attitudes and behaviors, also known as stigma, can prevent people who are struggling from reaching out for help and isolate families affected by the disease who fear being judged by their communities.
“Addressing and dismantling stigma in our community is not just a matter of social
responsibility; it’s a crucial step towards nurturing an inclusive, understanding, and
supportive environment for everyone,” said Emily McConville, Community Relations Coordinator for MHR.
“By actively engaging in anti-stigma work, we are not only challenging misconceptions and biases, but we are also opening doors to empathy, respect, and unity.
“It’s about creating a space where every individual feels valued and heard, and where differences are celebrated as strengths,” McConville said.
“This work lays the foundation for a healthier, more cohesive society, where mental and emotional well-being are prioritized, and where every person can thrive without the fear of
judgment or exclusion.”
The survey will help measure addiction knowledge, support for public health responses
to addiction, and perceptions around addiction in the community.
In doing so, results can help inform strategies to better educate, collaborate, and advocate needed resources and strategies to curb the addiction crisis across the community and state.
The survey is open to the general public and all responses will be anonymous.
To participate in the survey visit: https://bit.ly/47p5GcQ.
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