When I get really frustrated with MI stigma I remind myself that some decades ago people with cancer were stigmatized. No one wanted to tell anyone if they were diagnosed with cancer. It frightened people, it was awkward, etc. Only after LOADS of public education society has been given "permission" to have empathy for cancer patients, not to fear them. I believe that MI education needs to keep happening (NAMI is amazing!) and eventually MI won't have the stigma it has. And too, the stigma isn't as harsh as it was 40 years ago.