As part of “Red Ribbon Week,” the national campaign against substance abuse, Great Falls groups are working to stop the stigmas associated with addictive disorders and mental health issues.
Stop The Stigma started Monday with a look at teens and tech addiction with the documentary ‘Screenagers.’ A panel discussion was also held after the documentary showing.
Tuesday at Heritage Hall at Great Falls College-MSU, health professionals discussed the tobacco industry and its impacts on health.
On Tuesday at 6 pm there will be a presentation on the “red flags” of the mental health and addiction crisis and how friends and family can respond.
Prevention specialist Barbara Bessette of Gateway Community Services says raising awareness of mental health and addictive disorders is critical because they can be harder for people to understand.
“There is a stigma around mental illness and addictive disorders and I feel like if we have awareness and education and we can bring that to the community then we can actually have less stigma and then people can actually get help for it,” says Bessette.
On Wednesday evening, Stop The Stigma will focus on prescription drug abuse with a personal story of addiction and a round-table discussion.
On Thursday experts will discuss sex and porn addiction; Bessette says this is one of the most difficult topics for people to address.
Below is a list of all events and times; click here to visit the Facebook page.
