Real Stories. Real Healing.
Stigma is thinking people are bad because they are addicted or weak because they have a mental illness. It's not just wrong - it’s harmful. Negative attitudes around persons living with addiction or mental illness can prevent or delay seeking help, making the illness harder to treat.
Treatment works. People recover. And that’s a good thing for all of us.
If you or a loved one is living with addiction or mental illness, know that help is available. Go to Find Help to get started.
The stories below are real, from your neighbors, your coworkers, your families. They live and work in Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties. They want you to know they are like you, and they need your acceptance and support to get and stay well. The images are digitally created, and the names have been withheld, because - sadly - stigma still exists.
Treatment works. People recover. And that’s a good thing for all of us.
If you or a loved one is living with addiction or mental illness, know that help is available. Go to Find Help to get started.
The stories below are real, from your neighbors, your coworkers, your families. They live and work in Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties. They want you to know they are like you, and they need your acceptance and support to get and stay well. The images are digitally created, and the names have been withheld, because - sadly - stigma still exists.
Monochrome portrait of a 30-something woman. Image digitally created.
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Monochrome portrait of a 30-something man. Image digitally created.
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"Be the voice that lifts us up"
I never chose to be an addict and from lack of education I found myself tied to addiction without realizing. Be the voice that lifts us up not holds us down!
--B.Z., Miami County
BREAK THE SILENCE
When someone struggles with addiction, stigma can be louder than the addiction itself.
Comments like ‘just stop’ or ‘why can’t you control it’ push people into silence — and silence keeps them from treatment, from support, from hope.
Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failure. When we replace judgment with understanding, people reach out sooner… and recover stronger. Break the silence. Break the stigma.
SEE THE PERSON
Addict. Junkie. Failure.
Labels like these don’t tell the truth — they hide it. Behind every person living with addiction is a story, a family, a future worth fighting for.
Stigma strips people of dignity and keeps them from asking for help. But one choice — compassion — can change everything.
See the person, not the label.
HOPE GROWS
Millions of Americans are in recovery today — proof that treatment works.
But stigma still keeps too many people from taking that first step. When we talk openly about addiction, when we support instead of shame, we make recovery possible for more families.
If someone you love is struggling, let them know they’re not alone. Hope grows when stigma fades.
--B.Z., Miami County
BREAK THE SILENCE
When someone struggles with addiction, stigma can be louder than the addiction itself.
Comments like ‘just stop’ or ‘why can’t you control it’ push people into silence — and silence keeps them from treatment, from support, from hope.
Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failure. When we replace judgment with understanding, people reach out sooner… and recover stronger. Break the silence. Break the stigma.
SEE THE PERSON
Addict. Junkie. Failure.
Labels like these don’t tell the truth — they hide it. Behind every person living with addiction is a story, a family, a future worth fighting for.
Stigma strips people of dignity and keeps them from asking for help. But one choice — compassion — can change everything.
See the person, not the label.
HOPE GROWS
Millions of Americans are in recovery today — proof that treatment works.
But stigma still keeps too many people from taking that first step. When we talk openly about addiction, when we support instead of shame, we make recovery possible for more families.
If someone you love is struggling, let them know they’re not alone. Hope grows when stigma fades.
Monochrome portrait of a 40-something man. Image digitally created.
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Monochrome portrait of a 40-something woman. Image digitally created.
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"You can’t tell just by looking at me that I am suffering"
I have depression. I look just like anyone else. You can’t tell just by looking at me that I am suffering inside.
--Name withheld by request, Miami County
"I stopped talking about my depression… because people stopped listening."
-- Name withheld by request
START THE CONVERSATION
Stigma doesn’t just hurt feelings — it keeps people from getting help. When someone living with a mental illness is judged or dismissed, they’re more likely to stay silent, to isolate, to believe they’re alone. But they’re not. Mental illness is common, and recovery is possible. What makes the biggest difference is support, not shame.
Break the stigma. Start the conversation.
SPEAK WITH KINDNESS
Stigma can silence someone who’s already struggling. It can keep them from treatment, from connection, from hope. But every one of us can change that.
Listen. Support. Speak with kindness.
Because no one should fight mental illness in the shadows.
CHOOSE COMPASSION
One in five people lives with a mental illness. But stigma affects all of us.
It creates fear. It fuels shame. And it stops people from reaching out.
You can help end that cycle.
Choose understanding. Choose compassion. Choose to stand up for mental health.
Stigma hurts. Support heals.
--Name withheld by request, Miami County
"I stopped talking about my depression… because people stopped listening."
-- Name withheld by request
START THE CONVERSATION
Stigma doesn’t just hurt feelings — it keeps people from getting help. When someone living with a mental illness is judged or dismissed, they’re more likely to stay silent, to isolate, to believe they’re alone. But they’re not. Mental illness is common, and recovery is possible. What makes the biggest difference is support, not shame.
Break the stigma. Start the conversation.
SPEAK WITH KINDNESS
Stigma can silence someone who’s already struggling. It can keep them from treatment, from connection, from hope. But every one of us can change that.
Listen. Support. Speak with kindness.
Because no one should fight mental illness in the shadows.
CHOOSE COMPASSION
One in five people lives with a mental illness. But stigma affects all of us.
It creates fear. It fuels shame. And it stops people from reaching out.
You can help end that cycle.
Choose understanding. Choose compassion. Choose to stand up for mental health.
Stigma hurts. Support heals.
About the Campaign
These messages are brought to you by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, the Miami County Drug Free Coalition, and other partners, with funding from the Miami County Opioid Settlement Community Wellness Grant, August 2025. The images were created with the assistance of AI image generation tools and are meant to be representative. Any resemblance to actual persons is coincidental.
