Together, we are building a world where mental health is
understood, respected, and supported.
OUR MISSION
Uniting together to eliminate mental health stigma and spark nationwide change.
Mission: Our mission is to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders by uniting diverse stakeholders in large-scale, strategic actions.
Vision: A country free of stigma around mental health and substance use disorders
Normalize Mental Health
Mental health is health. We work to make talking about it as ordinary as talking about any other part of our well-being, at home, at work and in our communities.
Educate On Stigma
Stigma is often learned without anyone noticing. We share research and resources that help people recognize it, understand its harm and change how they think and talk about mental health.
Champion for Change
Lasting change takes people willing to speak up. Join advocates, professionals and partners pushing for policies and practices that put understanding ahead of judgment.
WHY IT MATTERS
Mental health impacts everyone. All social classes, all races, all professions, all genders. The stark reality is:
of people with a mental health condition said the accompanying stigma is worse than the condition itself.
individuals with mental health challenges said stigma make them less likely to seek treatment
of U.S. adults still think mental illness carries a stigma
Stigma is a problem that prevents policymakers from crafting laws free of discrimination and stops health care workers and first responders from providing the best possible care. Stigma keeps people from seeking the treatment they need, robs them of their joy in life, their well-being, and worst case, results in ultimate harm. This narrative needs to change.
We are a 501c3 organization that believes in the power of connection. We exist to unite institutions and organizations working in the mental health and substance use disorders space to create resources, generate funding, bring clarifying awareness, and address the issues around mental health and substance use disorders. Together, we address a societal “grand challenge” to end the stigma around mental health and substance-use disorders to establish true well-being. We bring together friends, family, employers, health care providers, not-for-profits, and governments to address this challenge. We are an “organization of organizations” that brings these diverse stakeholders together to leverage their strengths and unify our efforts toward stigma elimination. We do this through the power of our task forces, research, and convenings.
Stop Stigma Together is proud to announce our official designation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a milestone that strengthens our commitment to de-siloing mental health and substance use disorder advocacy nationwide. This status enhances our ability to generate critical funding, foster cross-disciplinary partnerships, and accelerate our strategic plan to eliminate structural, social, and self stigma.
How We Tackle Stigma, Together
People suffering from mental health issues and substance use disorders experience stigma, shame, and fear - often preventing them from seeking help and accessing care. Stop Stigma Together is the nation's only large-scale initiative working across disciplines to de-silo the efforts of medical, psychiatric, therapeutic, research, and social groups to build a landscape that destigmatizes mental health and substance use disorders.
Guided by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine 2016 report, Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Evidence for Stigma Change, we've developed and operationalized a unique strategic plan that focuses specifically on tackling all three areas of stigma (structural, social, and self) and creates a holistic approach to mental health care that is rooted in partnership and collaboration. Our initiative has engaged in hundreds of informational and partnership outreach meetings, gathered a national board of directors comprised of the nation's leading non-profit, mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder organizations, organized several subject-matter summits that engage industry professionals from across the country, and developed key metrics projects, including participation in the 2024 General Social Survey, to accurately measure stigma around the United States.
Stop Stigma Together aims to break down the barriers associated with mental health stigmas, promote understanding and empathy, and provide a supportive environment for organizations and individuals across the country. We play a pivotal role in fostering growth, learning, and collaboration within the mental health community by uplifting the voices and stories of people with lived experience of mental health conditions (PWLE), funding new research, convening key stakeholders to share best practices, and facilitate meaningful conversations, and engaging in advocacy and policy change. Collectively, we can destigmatize perceptions about mental health and substance use disorders and bring hope and healing to people all over the United States.
U.S. adults experience
mental illness each year.
Of all lifetime mental
illness begins by age 14.
Leading cause of death
among people aged 10 to 34 is suicide.
Your gift to Stop Stigma Together directly fuels a nationwide movement to end the shame and barriers surrounding mental health and substance use disorders. As a 501(c)(3) coalition, we unite top experts, organizations, and advocates to break down stigma across communities, healthcare, and policy. Every dollar empowers collaborative research and high-impact action so no one suffers in silence—donate today to turn compassion into lasting, life-saving change.