Why Acceptance Matters
There is a link between being accepted and social inclusion and health. Discrimination affects how people are treated, their work, school, home, sense of belonging, and their health.
Some groups are at higher risk for poorer health caused by inequities, including:
- Indigenous
- Under-housed
- Low-income
- Disabled
- 2SLGBTQIA+
- Racialized
- Criminalized
- English-second language
- Experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges
Discrimination can lead to:
- Difficulty at school or work
- More stress and anxiety
- Isolation
- Exposure to violence
- Poor mental health
- Higher chance of injury, illness or early death
Social inclusion affects people’s access to basic needs and their ability to take part in society. This involves all of the social and economic conditions and inequities that underlie one’s health such as neighborhood, income, job, opportunities, support network, and other resources. But it also includes people’s involvement in decision-making processes and their access to power and control in their own lives.