FIGHTING STIGMA

STIGMA CAN negatively affect the emotional, mental, and physical health of people, groups, and the communities they live in. Stigmatised individuals may experience isolation, depression, anxiety, or public embarrassment. Stopping stigma is important to making all communities and community members safer and healthier. Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in their communities.

Community leaders and publichealth officials can help prevent stigma by:

• Maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of those seeking healthcare and those who may be part of any contact investigation.

• Quickly communicating the risk, or lack of risk, from contact with products, people, and places.

• Correcting negative language that can cause stigma by sharing accurate information about how the virus spreads.

• Speaking out against negative behaviours and statements, including those on social media.

• Making sure that images used in communications show diverse communities and do not reinforce stereotypes.

• Using media channels, including news media and social media, to speak out against stereotyping groups of people who experience stigma because of COVID-19.

• Thanking healthcare workers, responders, and others working on the front lines.