We’re pleased to share that our Stigma Kills campaign, launched in 2021, is now being piloted throughout July, August and September across the North East. This initiative is in collaboration with the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The pilot with NENC involves 13 local authorities, 8 acute trusts, 2 mental health trusts, 1 ambulance trust, and all Primary Care Networks across the region. The NENC ICB has created additional videos to further spread the campaign’s message.
Sarah Hulse, Strategic Manager for Alcohol, North East & North Cumbria ICS Population Health, Prevention, and Healthcare Inequalities Team, said about the campaign,
“We're urging our partners' communications teams to also push the campaign, both as a general awareness raising exercise, and to promote their own addiction-related services, resources, and training opportunities. By enlisting partners' support on the campaign, and running it in parallel with them, we hope to create real impact in both challenging stigma around addiction, and raising awareness of, and engagement with, addiction-related services across the region."
Candie Lincoln, our NHS APA Project Manager, commented:
"Seeing the strong support across the North East for the 'Stigma Kills' campaign is incredibly inspiring. With so many partners involved, we’re hopeful that this initiative will continue to grow and make a lasting impact."
We want to break down the barriers that stigma creates, to enable everyone who experiences addiction to feel able to access the treatment and support they deserve. To learn more and get involved, visit the Stigma Kills website and check out the news article on the Gateshead Council website.