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Jocelyn Morales Final Paper Coun 3300 Reducing the Stigma Within the Homeless/Addicted population and Heading Down the Road to Success. An Application of the PERMA Model Literature Review The number of resources to assist the homeless needs are limited and varies from state to state. Basic needs were categorized and identified by health and social services (an emergent category), and safety; very few participants expressed needs in the higher-order categories of love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. [ CITATION Fle21 \l 1033 ] Stigma influences how people with substance use disorders and within the homeless population are viewed, treated and how they view themselves. There is a relationship between substance use and homelessness because in many situations, substance abuse is a result of homelessness rather than a cause. People who are homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations. They use substances in an attempt to attain temporary relief from their problems. Fleury MJ, G. G. (2021) These individuals have experienced stigma in its various forms, including social avoidance and exclusion, structural discrimination in healthcare systems and the broader society, internalized stigma, their own stigma toward treatment, and courtesy stigma toward family members. Stigma results in restricted resources and decreased healthcare access, fostering health inequities among people with substance use disorders or experiencing homelessness. [ CITATION Shu21 \l 1033 ] The PERMA model (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement), as described by Seligman (2011), suggests that the experience of positive emotions is essential to living an authentically happy life. However, when individuals have difficulty experiencing positive emotions from non-substance-related activities (e.g., exercising),

Jocelyn Morales Final Paper Coun 3300 they may seek to experience positive emotions from substances. There are ways we can help eliminate stigma, which involves rejecting stigma around homelessness, changing our language surrounding homelessness, and approaching housing differently. Rejecting stigmas is a crucial first step in addressing the issue of homelessness. To do this, we must engage with people who are experiencing homelessness to further understand the context surrounding their situation. Understanding their context will allow us to approach the problem realistically rather than relying on stigma-based assumptions. Another way to destigmatize homelessness is to change the language surrounding the issue. Referring to people experiencing homelessness as “the homeless” is inaccurate. Homelessness does not define a person. Rather, it is something that someone experiences for a fixed period. It also helps to emphasize that we need to find ways to solve this temporary problem in someone’s life rather than focus on a way to deal with a permanent one. The harmful effects of stigma and discrimination have lasting effects on people and can include: reluctance to seek help or treatment and less likely to stay with treatment. Social isolation, lack of understanding by family, friends. Unwilling to participate in social activities, trouble finding housing, bullying, physical violence or harassment, health insurance that doesn't adequately cover your mental illness treatment, the belief that you'll never succeed at certain challenges or that you can't improve your situation. There are suggestions about what we can do as individuals to help reduce the stigma like talk openly such as sharing on social media. Educate yourself and others by respond to misperceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences. Be conscious of language by remind people that words matter. Encourage equality between

Jocelyn Morales Final Paper Coun 3300 physical and mental illness Showing compassion to everyone and choose empowerment over shame. Positive Emotions Positive emotions are a prime indicator of flourishing, and they can be cultivated or learned to improve well-being (Fredrickson, 2001). Within limits, we can increase our positive emotion about the past (e.g., by cultivating gratitude and forgiveness), our positive emotion about the present (e.g., by savoring physical pleasures and mindfulness) and our positive emotion about the future (e.g., by building hope and optimism). A compassionate approach towards the homeless is crucial, whether this be explicit in taking action to deal with basic needs encouraging motivation and independence to help people re-build their lives. (Limebury, J,2015) Make eye contact, smile or say good morning because they often feel invisible. One of the best ways to help someone experiencing homelessness is to show them respect. As you look into their eyes, talk to them with sincere interest and acknowledge their value as an individual, you reaffirm their humanity. Especially for people experiencing homelessness/addiction, a friendly gesture can brighten their day; contribute a sense of dignity; and help them fight the isolation, depression and embarrassment they face every day since they often feel invisible. Engagement According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, this produces an experience called “flow” that is so gratifying that people are willing to do it for its own sake, rather than for what they will

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