Summer 2016
Distorted Perceptions:
A Campaign to Challenge Myths and Misperceptions about Mental Illness and Addictions
by Michelle Livshin
It’s been a year and half since the Anti-Stigma Project’s Distorted Perceptions campaign was launched, and since its creation, the campaign has really taken flight. Distorted Perceptions has reached individuals throughout Maryland, across the United States and has even impacted individuals internationally. Folks from India, the Philippines, Spain, Switzerland and Canada have visited our website. The website has been viewed more than 2800 times and 100 people have taken our pledge to challenge their own perceptions, speak out, share knowledge and become agents of change. With the generous help of the Anti-Stigma Workgroup, the On Our Own network, and community members, we have distributed more than 15,000 of the campaign’s diverse educational materials.
Our campaign continues to change and grow. In fact, in the past few months, we have created two new, fun campaign materials: a microfiber cleaning cloth for eyeglasses and a new set of bright, colorful stickers, both of which include information about the stigma associated with behavioral health conditions.
In addition to our newest campaign materials, our website continues to serve as a helpful resource to enable the public learn the facts about behavioral health conditions and the role of stigma as a barrier to recovery, with links to some of the most thought-provoking articles and videos on the Internet updated monthly. Our website also provides useful information about the myths and misperceptions related to behavioral health issues, creative memes to share, and tips on how to get involved in the community as an advocate.
Our campaign is beginning to reach a wider and more diverse audience. Just last month we were delighted to have had the opportunity to introduce some of our campaign materials to a number of stakeholders in the Belarussian behavioral health system, who were here to learn more about the services and programs of On Our Own of Maryland.
We have also recently packaged some of our materials into convenient kits for individuals to distribute amongst the community. So far, more than 50 kits have been picked up to be shared at places such as art shows, local eye doctors, churches, coffee shops, universities, libraries, and community centers. Our materials have also been shared at conferences, networking events, retreats, trainings, annual meetings, and panel discussions.
We would not have been able to reach so many diverse communities without your help, so thank you! If you are interested in helping us continue to distribute our campaign materials and spread awareness about the important issue of stigma, please contact michellel@onourownmd.org. We look forward to hearing from you! Also you can visit us at www.distortedperceptions.org.
Check out the full newsletter with photos HERE!