Stigma and Marginalization Connected to Lived Experience (Core Competencies: 1.1; 1.5; 1.11; 2.5; 2.6; 2.9; 2.10; 3.7; 4.6; 4.11) The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines stigma as a mark of shame or discredit. The definition offered for marginalization is to relegate to an unimportant or powerless position within a society or group. Many people with lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges describe the negative and sometimes compounding effects of stigma and marginalization in relation to seeking wellness, recovery, and a sense of safety. The historical causes of such stigma and marginalization are debated widely among those who practice peer support in professional roles. Alongside the lived experiences with stigma and marginalization related to mental health and substance use, the intersectionality of people’s identities can add weight to carry as people navigate through health systems. When more than one part of a person’s identity molds their experiences with obstacles and barriers, the path to recovery must include a wholesome look at all the pieces of a person that are impacted by stigma and marginalization, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, immigration status, etc. As a certified peer specialist engages in their work and offers peer support, they center the humanity, validity, agency, and autonomy of the people they support. An empathic and compassionate approach, with mindfulness to a person’s intersectional identities, can open a deeper understanding of another and solidify the immense value of sharing and listening to one another’s stories and experiences. This connection can aid a certified peer specialist in addressing the corrosive effects of stigma and marginalization connected to lived experience and the many components that contribute to these experiences. Wisconsin efforts to address stigma • Wisconsin Initiative for Stigma Elimination (WISE) o WISE is a coalition of individuals and organizations promoting inclusion and support for all affected by mental health and substance use challenges that promotes evidence-based practices for stigma reduction efforts. For WISE, stigma reduction is driven by the power of the story of someone’s recovery. Their campaign focuses on individuals strategically sharing their story to educate others on mental health challenges and the reality that recovery is possible. o To learn more about WISE, visit wisewisconsin.org.
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