When we talk about mental health or substance use, one word comes up often: stigma. But what does it really mean and why does it matter so much? What Is Stigma? Stigma is a negative belief or attitude about a person or group. It often shows up as judgment, stereotypes, or unfair assumptions. For mental health and substance use, stigma can look like labeling someone based on a diagnosis or experience instead of seeing them as a whole person. How Stigma Shows Up Stigma isn’t al