A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that mental health workers may hold the harshest views toward the very patient population they’re supposed to help: people with opioid addiction. The researchers found that healthcare workers in the mental health field, including those providing mental health treatment, support services and more, had higher levels of stigmatizing views toward people with opioid addictions than the general population. Overall, mental health workers and first responders were more likely to agree with these statements than other participants. For example, healthcare workers may be less likely to prescribe medications that could help opioid users manage their addiction. Increased training for mental health workers and first responders may be the key to reducing stigma, the researchers said.