50.2 million Americans consider themselves in recovery from substance use and/or mental health problems. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) describes recovery as, "a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery signals a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and substance use

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