Safeguarding Adults Week | Day One
Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to raise awareness of essential safeguarding issues.
This year Prima Group have decided to raise awareness of a very misunderstood topic: hoarding. This is due to the recent launch of a new Peer Group based on the Wirral called Bringing Hoarders Together.
Along with other housing associations and our supporters, Hoarding Helping Hoarders, we are all committed to raising awareness of hoarding and the stigma that is so detrimental to those who struggle with it.
Watch out for our daily posts as we share some facts, bust some myths and share some personal stories and testimonies from our peer groups.
For more information about joining a group, please visit: Hoarders Helping Hoarders
Day One
The Stigma Surrounding Hoarding
Stigma is when someone is judged negatively based on misinformation and characteristics incorrectly believed to be true.
You may have seen a programme on TV about it, but the media sensationalise hoarding on reality shows and show each case at its very worst. Research even proves that reality shows actually increase the stigma around hoarding.
One of the best ways to fight any stigma is first to educate people who do not understand the topic and who have no personal experience of hoarding amongst friends or family.
So Why is Stigma so Damaging?
Because fear and misunderstanding of the unknown, often lead to prejudice and discrimination, which in turn leads to feelings of hopelessness.
Because stigma seriously affects the well-being of those who experience it.
Because stigma affects people while they are experiencing problems, while they are in treatment, and while they are healing because they start to believe the stigma about themselves too.
Because stigma profoundly changes how people feel about themselves and the way others see them.
Because stigma means someone is excluded, denied opportunities, mocked, avoided, or shunned for reasons that have nothing to do with who they are at their core or all the many strengths and positive attributes they have.
Because stigma hurts those on the receiving end, by reducing their sense of self-worth, increasing distress, and actually worsening symptoms.
Because the shame caused by stigma creates a serious barrier to diagnosis and treatment.