For World Mental Health Day, I was part of the largest gathering of mental health advocates ever - more than 180  organizations and individuals nationwide. Together, we focused on a 10-year vision to address the grand challenge of mental health stigma. World Mental Health Day kicked off the two-day Summit where organizations representing different industries and sectors came together to end shame and prejudice. 

One in 3 adults experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime. This includes everything from addiction to anxiety to dementia to schizophrenia. Lost productivity as a result of two of the most common mental disorders, anxiety, and depression, costs the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year.

One in 5 adults experience mental illness each year and substance use disorder affects more than 20 million Americans aged 12 and over.

Not to mention, 9.5 million adults over 18  years old have both a substance abuse disorder and a mental illness. While the numbers of people experiencing mental health and substance use disorders are staggering, stigma often prevents individuals from seeking the help they need. 

Mental Health and Addiction are Intertwined

As someone who lost his son to the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, I know all too well that mental illness and substance use disorder go hand-in-hand. 

According to the CDC, drug overdose is a leading cause of accidental death in the United States. But what people don’t realize is it’s a primary, chronic disease of the brain. Just like heart disease or diabetes, substance use disorder disrupts the normal, healthy functioning of the body. 

Only about 1 in 10 people with a substance use disorder receive any type of specialty treatment.

People suffering from both behavioral health and substance use disorders don’t seek treatment because they fear that they will be labeled or judged as weak people with no moral compass. They fear that they will lose their jobs if they seek treatment or lose the respect of their family and or friends. Shame and stigma are what holds individuals and communities back from getting the treatment they desperately need. 

Unfortunately, unlike most chronic illnesses, substance use disorders carry a negative connotation. 

Addiction is not a moral failing, a choice, or a character flaw.

Addiction is an illness. All major health experts agree, including:, The American Medical Association, The National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization.

Treatment for addiction is highly effective. Decades of scientific research show what treatments work best. Addiction is a treatable, preventable, and curable chronic disease. With a standard of care and evidence-based quality treatment, we can help our loved ones recover.

A quarter of families are impacted by a substance use disorder. Mental health is in every home but we’re afraid to talk about it. Some ways to address this include: 

1. Modeling language at home. Words shape how we view people and how we treat them. The Shatterproof Addiction Language Guide is a great place to start. 
2. Show empathy in addition to love. Tell your children or loved ones with a substance use disorder, "This must be hard for you." Encourage them to talk about how they're feeling and listen without judgment. 
3. Know you're not alone. Families should feel empowered to reach out to gain support from others. 
4. As a parent, avoid feeling guilty. Your loved one is dealing with a disease and you can help them through love, dignity, and compassion. 

In my last visit with my son, Brian, he said, “I wish society would see me as a good person with a disease, not a bad person.”

Brian’s wish has not been granted yet. 

Years ago, people wouldn’t talk about their cancer diagnosis. We hope that one day mental health will receive the same type of hope, knowledge, and healing that cancer does today.

Until stigma is eliminated, people and their families will needlessly suffer. We need to end the stigma that causes trauma, normalize mental health, and find real solutions. Mental health is health.

Learn more about our efforts at: https://stopstigmatogether.org/