In this episode, Prof Sarah Hean from University of Stavanger talks with Assoc Prof Will McGovern from Northumbria University about stigma, discrimination, and the impact on recovery in the context of substance use. Will explains how stigma develops, how it differs from prejudice as an emotional response to stigma and then the translation into discrimination as a behaviour. They explore the profound impact it can have on individuals, families, and professionals working in support services. The discussion explores self-stigma, compassion fatigue among practitioners, and the importance of creating more empathetic and inclusive services. The conversation also highlights current research, including the National Stigma Indicator project and the development of anti-stigma training for health and social care professionals. Finally, they discuss how research networks, practitioners, and people with lived experience can work together to build local capacity and reduce stigma across different communities, so that we not only not stigmatise but that we actively promote anti stigma practices.
EXTRA READING
- Addison, M., McGovern, W., McGovern, R. (2022 Drugs, Identity and Stigma. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98286-7_1
- Corrigan PW, Rao D. On the self-stigma of mental illness: stages, disclosure, and strategies for change. Can J Psychiatry. 2012 Aug;57(8):464-9 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/070674371205700804
- Anti-stigma intervention for health and care staff in contact with people who use substances: A process evaluation: https://sphr.nihr.ac.uk/prevention/anti-stigma-intervention-for-health-and-care-staff-in-contact-with-people-who-use-substances-a-process-evaluation/
- McGovern W, Shrimpton L, Alderson H, Hall K, Lhussier M, Sattar Z, Watson P, McGovern R. Community Asset Mapping: Promoting Inclusion and Equity and Countering Stigma in Applied Substance Use Research. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Sep 28;22(10):1498. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22101498. PMID: 41154902; PMCID: PMC12563527. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41154902/
- Shrimpton L, Addison M, Cavener J, Scott S, McGovern W. Exploring the Impact of Stigma on Health and Wellbeing: Insights from Mothers with Lived Experience Accessing Recovery Services. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Sep 6;21(9):1189. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21091189. PMID: 39338072; PMCID: PMC11430851. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39338072/
Dr Will McGovern Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Newcastle’s Recovery Community
Northumbria University academic and founding member of the Revival Group receives the Mal Maclean Award for Exceptional Service to the Community at the Revival Recovery Community Awards 2026.
Dr Will McGovern, Associate Professor of Marginalised Communities at Northumbria University and a founding member of the Revival Group, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to Newcastle’s recovery community, receiving the Mal Maclean Award for Exceptional Service to the Community at the Revival Recovery Community Awards 2026.
The awards ceremony, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle, brought together around 200 delegates, nominees and representatives from across the city to celebrate the individuals, teams and organisations making a meaningful difference to their communities.
Dr McGovern was invited to host the event and present the awards to this year’s recipients. In a special and unexpected moment, he was himself named as the recipient of the Mal Maclean Award, recognising his commitment to working alongside communities, championing community involvement and addressing the inequalities and stigma experienced by marginalised groups.
Celebrating those who make a difference
The Revival Recovery Community Awards celebrate the people and organisations whose dedication, compassion and courage help build a stronger, more supportive recovery community. They shine a light on the everyday changemakers who step forward, speak out and support others when it matters most.
With 14 awards recognising achievement across Newcastle, the awards celebrate positive role models, encourage conversations around challenging but essential issues, and inspire others to make a difference in their own communities.
Recipients are nominated and assessed against the criteria for each award, with voting open to services, organisations, professionals, members of the public and people in recovery across the city. Alongside categories recognising organisations, teams, innovation, leadership, peer support and contributions to recovery, two bespoke awards recognise exceptional achievement and service to the community.
The Mal Maclean Award is a particularly meaningful recognition of individuals who work alongside people and communities to create positive, lasting change.
Challenging stigma and improving experiences of care
Dr McGovern’s award reflects his collaborative work with communities and his commitment to challenging the stigma and discrimination that can prevent people from accessing the support they need.
A central part of this work is his recent research, funded through the NIHR Three Research Schools Prevention Research Programme, hosted by the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR), exploring an anti-stigma intervention for health and care staff who work with people who use substances.
The project, Anti-stigma intervention for health and care staff in contact with people who use substances: A process evaluation, brings together researchers, professional partners and people with lived experience to examine how stigma can be recognised, challenged and reduced in health and social care settings.
Developed in partnership with people who have experienced stigma relating to substance use, the intervention aims to equip professionals with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to challenge stigmatising attitudes and behaviours. The research also explores how training can improve professional practice and the experiences of people accessing services.
Stigma can have serious consequences, contributing to inequalities and creating barriers to support. By placing lived experience and community involvement at the heart of research, this work seeks to help create services that are more accessible, compassionate and responsive to people’s needs.
The project reflects a wider commitment to challenging stigma, supporting trauma-informed practice and removing obstacles to meaningful support — including being willing to address difficult realities and concerns rather than shy away from them.
Read more about the research here.
Bringing research, lived experience and communities together
The recognition also highlights the importance of collaboration between universities, community organisations, services and people with lived experience.
Through his work with marginalised communities, Dr McGovern contributes to efforts to ensure that research is informed by the realities of people’s lives and that the knowledge generated can help shape more effective, compassionate practice.
This approach recognises that meaningful change cannot be achieved by research or services working in isolation. Listening to communities, valuing lived experience and involving people in developing solutions are essential to understanding the barriers people face and creating better outcomes.
These themes are also explored in The Lantern: Shining a Light on Stigma, Recovery & Community, available to watch on YouTube.
Continuing the conversation: reducing stigma and addressing trauma
The work to challenge stigma and improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities will continue at an upcoming regional research conference.
On 2nd November 2026, Fuse and its partners will host an event: From understanding to action: Reducing stigma, addressing trauma and improving outcomes for women, families and communities at The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix.
The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, community organisations and experts by experience to explore how stigma, trauma and disadvantage shape people’s lives and, importantly, what can be done differently to improve outcomes.
The event will provide an opportunity to share research, hear lived-experience perspectives and consider practical approaches to improving policy, services and professional practice.
Find out more about the conference through the Fuse event page.
A well-deserved recognition
Dr McGovern’s receipt of the Mal Maclean Award for Exceptional Service to the Community is a significant recognition of his collaborative work and ongoing commitment to communities in Newcastle.
His award reflects the values at the heart of the Revival Recovery Community Awards: compassion, courage, meaningful community involvement and a determination to address the issues that matter.
By bringing research, lived experience and community action together, this work helps keep the focus on what matters most, ensuring that people are treated with dignity, that stigma is challenged, and that everyone has a fairer opportunity to access support and achieve positive outcomes.
Congratulations to Dr Will McGovern on this well-deserved recognition, and to all the individuals, teams and organisations celebrated at the Revival Recovery Community Awards 2026.
CONTRIBUTORS AND CREDITS
Content:
Prof Sarah Hean Professor of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger; Norway
Assoc Prof Will McGovern Associate Professor within the Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing; Northumbria University, United Kingdom
Editors:
Sarah Hean University of Stavanger, Norway
Wenche Hovland University of Stavanger, Norway
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