Elevyst

New from our team:

"Elected officials of all political stripes, including the current president, have claimed that involuntary commitment is an evidence-based way to treat mental illnesses, including addiction. Research does show that, in certain cases, involuntary commitment can be beneficial. But in all too many cases, it’s both ineffective and inhumane. A recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that the institutionalization of individuals who were involuntarily hospitalized in “judgment call cases”—meaning cases where one physician might recommend hospitalization, while another would not—nearly doubled the risk of death by su***de or overdose. It also nearly doubled the likelihood of that person later being charged with a violent crime, perhaps because such institutionalization disrupted employment, subjecting people to still more dire economic circumstances. (Again, don’t ask why the addiction, ask why the pain.)"

While we continue to fight the systems that continue to cause harm, on the individual level, we can unpack our own stigma and witness and advocate for the humanity of all our neighbors.

The Homelessness Crisis Under Trump Will Only Get Worse The Trump administration is counting on us to renounce those living on the streets, while struggling with their mental health or the cost of housing (or both).

Did you miss our September newsletter in your inbox yesterday?

Head to the link below to read!

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https://elevyst.com/campaigns/view-campaign/pxcCZxTp1ERhzKHlknB-bAoclON4HXZIHH3Smu8zSb-GOV52_YaDUCYBSU-moceUMFVx3M9AhouswQq1JCoeXWJhq954ncth

"Research on structural stigma and health inequities has grown over the last decade, including how societal institutions, moral frameworks, and social disorder policing create a system of stigma that alienates PWUD (people who use drugs) and limits their access to harm reduction services. [(Friedman et al., 2022; Greene et al., 2022; Hatzenbuehler, 2016). Tsai et al. (2019)] explain that public stigma is fueled from ‘stereotypes about PWUD such as their perceived dangerousness or perceived moral failings, which translate into negative attitudes’ toward them."

A highly relevant paper highlighting the role and impact of stigma toward PWUD.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266732152500071X?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=96da1dfbb8a3e544

Additionally, you can read our own work on stigma toward PWUD by the general population and by healthcare providers: https://elevyst.com/stigma-initiative

You can also read our latest on stigma and the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania: https://elevyst.com/pccd

Stigma is a destructive force, and one we need to dismantle in many areas to, not only save lives, but allow people to thrive.

Stigma Initiative — Elevyst In an effort to inform the most effective stigma reduction efforts in Pennsylvania and beyond, Elevyst has partnered with RIWI, a leading provider of surveys and message tests, to introduce an innovative, data-driven approach to addressing stigma.

In our most recent report, we looked at Pennsylvanian criminal justice workforce respondents’ beliefs around mental health and substance use care. There is overwhelming support for expanded access to mental health services.

Read the report here: https://elevyst.com/pccd

Read our June newsletter here: https://elevyst.com/campaigns/view-campaign/gP-Yz9VyCk5xtfTQJwMue2W-2PEmCkJ4vcByn9R6MYzEILKdO7FfhmizWdhQHQy6Hq5UvLrrxDK9lRhRq3d_heblQXemz-MP

Did you miss signing up for our June newsletter? We got you.

Read our latest news: https://elevyst.com/campaigns/view-campaign/WodCp-kNKEA-gg5wIpbK7L3wO1lkIPdZGE9X65Lbx68O1152QOalpgc6Z64WUUcQYqhHh3lrcDTSCExV3FnCfrIDx6aZ4fHM

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Out now!

Sean Fogler and Mattea Kramer spoke with Burt Cohen of Keeping Democracy Alive about the state of mental health in the U.S., and where there is hope and opportunity for positive change.

Listen here or on Apple or Spotify: https://keepingdemocracyalive.com/

And when you're done listening, go buy Mattea's new novel, also out now!: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-untended-a-novel-mattea-kramer/4c7a5667b7d9949e?ean=9781647428877&next=t&

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we’re looking at the intersection of mental health and substance use, and how we can tear away the stigma from both.

In our most recent report, Substance Use, Stigma, and Pennsylvania’s Criminal Justice System: A Look Forward, we found overwhelming support from Pennsylvanians and the professionals working within the criminal justice system for investments in addressing social problems versus strengthening social order.

83% of Pennsylvanians believe that addressing social problems should be a bigger priority than strengthening social order through more policing and law enforcement.

73% of criminal justice workforce respondents said society would become safer through programs designed to help incarcerated people who struggle with drugs, alcohol, and/or mental health issues.

Everyone deserves access to mental health care, and that includes people who are incarcerated.

Read more here: https://elevyst.com/pccd

In our most recent report, we examined the beliefs of the general population and those in the criminal justice system workforce in Pennsylvania on fear and distance toward people who use substances, and whether or not they believe someone who uses drugs or alcohol will hide their use.

Nearly a third (32%) of Pennsylvanians said they somewhat or greatly fear a person who struggles with drugs and/or alcohol, and more than half of respondents (54%) believe it is better to keep their distance from someone who struggles in this way.

86% of Pennsylvanians expect people who are struggling with drugs and/or alcohol to hide signs of their use (some of the time, most of the time, or always.)

CJS workforce respondents were less likely than the general population to report feeling afraid of people who struggle with drugs and/or alcohol with 82% reporting no fear or minimal fear, as compared to 68% of the statewide population.

At the same time, over half (53%) of the surveyed CJS workforce reported strongly or somewhat believing it is better to keep a distance from people who struggle with drugs and/or alcohol.

This was nearly identical to the statewide population (54%).

We need to start unpacking this fear and distancing so people who use drugs do not feel they need to hide.

Read the full report and connect with us here: https://elevyst.com/pccd

Let's make change.

"During the summer of 2024, Elevyst set out to understand Pennsylvanians’ experiences with substance use issues, the presence of stigma throughout the state and within the Pennsylvania criminal justice system, and the kinds of interventions and services that could truly assist those who are struggling with drug and/or alcohol use.

We are excited to share the extensive results of our efforts in this report. Our aim with this report is to not only share the data we've collected but make our recommendations for changes to public policies to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians.

You can download the report and interact with the data dashboard here: https://elevyst.com/pccd

This work was made possible through a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant, awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).

We want to thank everyone who helped make this work possible.

And a special thank you to all who anonymously participated in our surveys. Without your willingness to honestly answer these questions, we wouldn't know as much as we now do. We appreciate you taking time to support this effort."

Hello + happy 2025!

We’re happy to be back + sharing work we’ve been doing. With that, we hope you’ll sign up for our email list on our website to be in the loop. And expect a special edition of The Pulse in your inbox later this month.

www.elevyst.com

Hard to believe, but we turn 4 today!

We want to thank you all – our colleagues, our collaborators, our community.

Here's to more years of working together toward a healthier future and dignity for all.

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Our first newsletter went out today! If you haven't signed up to receive our newsletters (I promise, we won't spam you.)

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