The H.E.A.L. vision

The H.E.A.L. program vision seeks to contribute to the improved health and wellbeing outcomes for all people, regardless of ethnicity, staying in the Long Grass, by addressing stigma.  Research has found that stigma is a key dimension of homelessness that shapes notions of health and health seeking behaviours.  For instance, individuals in this population often develop a fatalistic view of their own existence and accept poor physical health. They find it difficult to comply with medical regimes and gravitate to self-medication using marijuana and alcohol, in turn reinforcing stigma.  Individuals also believe they will receive an inferior service wherever they go.