What is stigma?

Stigma refers to negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discriminatory beliefs about people living with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. It can show up in three main forms:

  1. Public stigma: Society’s harmful assumptions — like believing people with addiction are weak, dangerous, or morally flawed.

  2. Structural stigma: Laws, policies, and systems that limit access to care, housing, employment, or justice.

  3. Self-stigma: Internalized shame that leads people to hide their struggles, blame themselves, or avoid treatment

Stigma surrounding mental health and addiction is rooted in fear, shame, and judgment — and it often prevents people from seeking help, receiving care, or being seen in their full humanity.

Common misconceptions

People facing addiction or mental illness are often wrongly seen as:

  • Choosing their condition or being at fault for it

  • Untrustworthy, unstable, or incapable of recovery

  • A danger to others or undeserving of compassion23

These beliefs persist despite decades of research showing that addiction is a complex, treatable medical condition, and mental health challenges are common and manageable31.

The impact of stigma

49mil

People aged 12 or older reported a substance use disorder in the past year, but don’t receive care and stigma remains a major barrier to seeking help (CDC).

80%

People with a mental health problem have experienced discrimination and negative social reactions according to a global survey across 45 countries where individuals with mental illness report experiencing stigma.

30%

Healthcare providers prefer not to work with patients prefer not to work with patients with opioid or stimulant use disorder, compared to 2% for diabetes.

How can we break stigma?

Breakthrough initiatives play a crucial role in dismantling stigma by:

  • Creating safe spaces where people can share their experiences without fear of judgment.

  • Amplifying diverse voices to challenge stereotypes and broaden understanding.

  • Providing education and resources that promote empathy and accurate information about mental health and addiction.

  • Encouraging community engagement to foster collective healing and support.

  • Driving policy change that removes barriers and promotes equitable access to care.

Through these efforts, Breakthrough helps transform stigma into opportunity for connection, healing, and justice.

“Addiction is not a choice or a personal failing, but a complex mental health h that should be met with empathy and support.”45

—Catherine, Princess of Wales

References (5)

1Mental Health Stigma | Mental Health | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/stigma/index.html

2Stigma Around Mental Health and Substance Misuse. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/stigma-mental-health-substance-abuse

3Stigma and Discrimination | National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/stigma-discrimination

4Princess of Wales calls for stigma surrounding addiction to end. https://thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/princess-of-wales-calls-for-stigma-surrounding-addiction-to-end/

5Catherine, Princess of Wales calls to end stigma surrounding addiction. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/catherine-princess-wales-calls-end-153815313.html