Summer of Stigma Series

Aug 19, 2021

This summer, Michigan OPEN partnered with Shatterproof to address stigma surrounding addiction. For the ‘Summer of Stigma’ series, both teams planned three events, focused on raising awareness and providing solutions to ending the impacts of stigma those with substance-use disorder. The first event was held on June 10: the Stigma of Addiction Summit. This half-day, virtual, action-oriented summit focused on understanding, addressing, and eliminating the harmful impacts of stigma on people who use drugs. The second event was held on July 8: Stigma, Maternal Health, and the Opioid Crisis webinar. One of our Co-Directors, Dr. Jennifer Waljee, gave the opening remarks. Participants had the chance to hear from Shatterproof Ambassador, Kim Robbins, as she shared her journey to recovery, specifically highlighting her experiences with healthcare providers. We also spoke with Dr. Neel Shah and Dr. Courtney Townsel as they expanded on the issue of stigma as it exists in clinical settings, how providers can mitigate barriers to care, and the intersection of stigma and health equity in maternal health, specifically. The third and last event, will be on September 21, from 9 – 11:30 am. This interactive workshop will focus on the personal impact of stigma and strategies for recognizing and eliminating stigma in your daily life.