Defining health stigma is not easy. Like an amoeba, it changes shape as society changes. Most people know something of health stigma – the staring and double-takes, the personal questions asked by complete strangers, the handicapped-sticker vigilantes who question your right to use reserved parking if your condition isn’t obvious.
But when asked to define health stigma, most people stumble.
Rude2Respect is a national campaign to change all this – first and foremost, by teaching people what health stigma means. Rude2Respect’s mission is to build awareness of the impact of stigma related to seen or unseen health conditions; to start the dialogue to help the public understand respectful behaviors; and to provide coping skills and resilience training to individuals who are being stigmatized.
Our vision is broad, our agenda ambitious. Our plans include initiatives to:
CREATE
CHANGE
CHANGE
Leverage social media to start a national conversation regarding the impact of health stigma.
BUILD
RESILIENCE
RESILIENCE
Produce materials, books, videos and fact sheets to help those with stigmatized health conditions become more resilient and learn coping skills.
EDUCATE &
INSPIRE
INSPIRE
Bring public education programs and resources to communities.
FOSTER
COLLABORATION
Collaborate with other nonprofits to address a wide variety of stigmatized health conditions.
RECOGNIZE
LEADERS
LEADERS
Initiate an awards program to recognize the people, organizations, and businesses that champion our cause and do the hard work on the ground to address health stigma.
You can be part of all this – it’s easy, and even the smallest act will make a difference to someone. Join the Rude2Respect challenge. Spread the word on social media. Contact us with your ideas.
Take action today – and help us turn rude to respect.