Support Not Stigma (SNS) is a community initiative to help the public better understand the lives of those of us who use substances and experience significant mental health challenges.
The Support Not Stigma brand fittingly has its roots in collaboration. The name was established at a harm reduction conference planning table with representatives from Southeast Public Health (formerly KFL&A Public Health), Kingston Community Health Centre’s Consumption and Treatment Services site, Trellis HIV & Community Care (then HIV/AIDS Regional Services aka HARS), Home Base Housing’s One Roof Youth Services Hub site and Youth Diversion. The brand made its debut in the sold-out inaugural Support Not Stigma conference held in Kingston in the fall of 2019.
Support Not Stigma is a partner of the KFL&A Community Drug Strategy, a multisector partnership focused on addressing substance use harms in our community. Please click here to learn more. [1.1]
Philosophically, the Support Not Stigma (SNS) initiative is about restorative social justice for people in our communities who use substances and who experience significant mental health challenges. We are parents, children, siblings, friends, neighbours and loved ones. We ask that you hear our stories with empathy because many of us suffer in silence. SNS is a place for us to have a voice.
Historically, the initiative was informed by the Integrated Care Hub Kingston’s 2021 Needs Assessment with support from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).
The initiative has created tools to help build understanding around
How substance use stigma is impacting people we love and how healthcare providers are promoting kindness in healthcare settings
How healthcare providers are providing more compassionate care through Substance Use Health and Harm Reduction educational modules
The critical efforts of harm reduction workers who are trying to help on the frontlines of the drug toxicity crisis
Thank you to our funder!
Thank you to our partners!
