What is stigma?
Why is hepatitis C stigmatized?
Is stigma towards people with hepatitis C against the law?
I think that I am being stigatized against because of my heaptitis C status - what should I do?
How do I cope with the stigma of hepatitis C?
Living with a stigmatized disease can have negative effects on your health and the quality of your life by interfering with relationships at home, work, and in your health care. Effects of stigma include isolation, depression and suffering financial or housing issues. Hopefully, stigma isn't part of your expereince. But knowing hepatitis C can be stigmatised will help you to prepare and respond to stigma should you need to. This Question and Answer Resource Sheet will provide you with more detailed information on how to do this.
What is stigma?
Stigma happens when people are negatively judged and devalued because they have hepatitis C. These judgements happen between people and may cause discrimination -people are treated differently because of their diagnosis with hepatitis C. Diagnosis can also triger self-judgement, bringing on feelings of shame or guilt.
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Why is hepatitis C stigmatized?
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Is stigma towards people with hepatitis C against the law?
Federal and provincial human rights laws consider hepatitis C to be a physical disability and say that people who have, or are thought to have, an illness like hepatitis C cannot be treated differently or negatively because of their illness.
Two important laws you should know about are:
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I think that I am being stigmatized against because of my hepatitis C status - what should I do?
Contact one of the agencies below for assistance:
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How do I cope with the stigma of hepatitis C?
There are effective strategies to cope with stigma. To find the strategy best suited to you, consider your needs and experiences. Stigma and Hepatitis C, is a booklet that explains how hepatitis C is stigmatized and provides tools to confront the labels associated with hepatitis C. Knowing how to negotiate for your own hepatitis care and support can help you to get the services you need and counter some of the effects of stigma. See also the Personal Bill of Rights which can be printed in a variety of sizes. Consider also talking with a trusted health care provider and joining a support group where experiences and solutions can be shared. Remember, there are laws to help you deal with discrimination.
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