Every person has characteristics, beliefs, values and affiliations that they identify with. These identities can define and distinguish people from one another while also shaping communities and behaviors, and influencing how people interact with the world around them. There are some identities that people may be reluctant to share — called concealable stigmatized identities, or CSIs. These refer to aspects of a person's identity that might not be immediately visible or apparent to others, such as mental health and sexual orientation, that often carry significant social stigma, discrimination and prejudice.