An anti-stigma campaign called "See the Person' is being launched locally.
The campaign promotes kindness toward people without a place to call home and encourages everyone to learn more about housing and homelessness
It's being promoted by Nipissing District Homelessness and Housing Partnership (NDHHP), which is a collective of local organizations that are working to reduce, address, and prevent homelessness in the Nipissing District.
In the campaign, people who have experienced homelessness, share their insights and personal experiences.
Jennifer Farrell, who has experienced homelessness says it’s simple, “See the Person. Be kind. Everyone has a story. Negative attitudes and stereotypes are extremely harmful and damage a person’s self-worth. It is very challenging to face stigma while managing other challenges in one’s life. We need to work toward a more caring, inclusive community.”
Stigma results in serious mental health issues like deep feelings of shame, contribute to social exclusion and act as a barrier for people seeking services within their community according to the group's news release.
“When people are treated with dignity and respect, it opens the door for healing and a sense of belonging. That’s what everyone needs when they’re down,” Farrell says.
"Homelessness is a complex community issue that has become increasingly visible in Nipissing District. The campaign aims to shed light on some of the key drivers of homelessness," says the release.
Tawnia Healy, with the local Health Unit, says, “Homelessness is often due to factors outside of a person’s control. Factors such as poverty, lack of access to an affordable place to live, inadequate income, racism, discrimination, and impacts of childhood trauma all have a role to play in homelessness. “It is unfair and unjust to stigmatize people for their health or housing status when the conditions for good health are simply not available to everyone.”
