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STIGMA IN MENTAL ILLNESS

Stigma is a cluster of negative attitudes and

beliefs that motivate the general public to

fear, reject, avoid and discriminate against

people with mental illnesses and develop-mental disabilities.

1. Give best possible treatment

2. Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame. Stigma doesn't just come from

others. You may have the mistaken belief that your condition is a sign of personal

weakness, or that you should be able to control it without help. Seeking psychological

counseling, educating yourself about your condition and connecting with others with

mental illness can help you gain self-esteem and overcome destructive self-judgment.

3. Don't isolate yourself. If you have a mental illness, you may be reluctant to tell

anyone about it. Have the courage to confide in your spouse, family members, friends,

clergy or other members of your community. Reach out to people you trust for the

compassion, support and understanding you need.

4. Don't equate yourself with your illness. You are not an illness. So instead of saying

"I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder." Instead of calling yourself "aschizophrenic," call yourself "a person with schizophrenia." Don't say you "are

depressed." Say you "have clinical depression."

5. Join a support group. Some local and national groups, such as the National Alliance

on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer local programs and Internet resources that help

reduce stigma by educating people with mental illness, their family members and the

general public. A number of state and federal agencies and programs also offer

support for people who have mental health conditions. Examples include agencies

such as Vocational Rehabilitation and Veterans Affairs (VA).

6. Get help at school. If you or your child has a mental illness that affects learning, find

out what plans and programs might help. Discrimination against students because of a

mental health condition is against the law, and educators at primary, secondary and

college levels are required to accommodate students as best they can. Talk to teachers,

professors or administrators about the best approach and available resources. If a

teacher doesn't know about a student's disability, it can lead to discrimination, barriers

to learning and poor grades.

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7. Speak out against stigma. Express your opinions at events, in letters to the editor or

on the Internet. It can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and

educate the public about mental illness.

This stigma can and must be eradicated, and the power to do just that resides in each one of

us.

1. Learn and share the factsabout mental

illness, especially if you hear or read

something that isnt true.

The stigma attached to mental illnesses is created and sustained by the myths about brain

disorders. Kathy Cronkite, author of On The Edge of Darkness and daughter of newsman

Walter Cronkite, described her own battle with depression. "Stigma is only ignorance," saidCronkite. "Once we understand that these are medical illnessesn there can be no more

stigma. The real problem with stigma is that it keeps people from getting help."

Others' judgments almost always stem from a lack of understanding rather than information

based on the facts. Learning to accept your condition and recognize what you need to do to

treat it, seeking support, and helping educate others can make a big difference.

Due to this lack of knowledge and the influence of stereotypes in media, the general public

tend to view the mentally ill as unpredictable, responsible for their bizarre beliefs and

behaviour, incapable of rational thought, and probably dangerous. When these beliefs filter

through society at many levels it is no surprise that the mentally ill often find themselves

socially excluded and isolated.

Treat peoplewith mental illness with

respect and dignity, as you would any-body else.

Avoid labeling peopleby using de-rogatory terms like crazy, wacko,

schizo, loony, psycho, retard,

idot, or nuts.

Support peoplewith mental illness by

helping to develop community resources

that assist them.

1)Education- it is critical that everyone understands that severe mental illnesses are braindisorders that can be diagnosed and treated as successfully as other physical illnesses. Begin

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with yourself- do you know the facts and where to get additional information to be well

grounded in these illnesses. Set a goal for yourself to help just one other person understand

the truth about mental illness. There is a plethora of information available to you, free of

charge, at the NAMI-MC Library, from the fact sheets we have available, from the web (see

numerous sites listed elsewhere),from Family to Family workshops, from our membership

and various other sources. Of course, if you have the desire and energy to be involved beyondhelping one person, consider volunteering time and talent to NAMI-MC as a support group

leader, workshop facilitator, newsletter person, speaker, delivering brochures or pamphlets,

connecting at church or your social circle or a hundred other ways you can reach out to help

educate our population.

Respect the rights of peoplewith mental

illness. Dont discriminate against them

when it comes to housing, employment

or education. Like other people with

disabilities, people with mental illness are

protected under Federal and State laws.

Confront discrimination- in insurance coverage, housing, education, employment, and access

to services. Write a letter to your politicians in support of new laws to end discrimination, e.g.

insurance parity bill that has been squashed several times at the state level before it ever got a

fair hearing. Check political candidates platforms and voting records before casting your

ballot. Write letters to the editor, let your voice be heard, don ust suffer in silence

Challenge negative stereotypes- we must stop accepting the view of people with brain

disorders as dangerous, incapable, lazy, evil and foolish. These and other labels are seen daily

in the media and in casual conversations. People with mental illness are often the butt of

jokes as was the case with Alonzo Spellman who, at that time, played pro football for our

own Chicago Bears. A couple of years ago, Mr. Spellman suffered a manic episode, was

hospitalized at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, and subsequently walked out of the

hospital in the dead of winter clad only in a hospital gown and barefoot. Callers to local

sports radio talk shows had a field day with jokes and quips about this poor soul who could

have froze to death while wandering aimlessly. Reports had several sightings of him, yet no

one would stop to help. Fortunately, hospital personnel were finally able to get him safely

back to the hospital. He now plays for the Dallas Cowboys, where he started every game lastyear and played at a high level all season.

Teach children about mental health

and help them realize that mental

illnesses are like any other treatable

health condition.

Understandthat racially and ethnically

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diverse populations may especially be

targets of stigma.

Understandthat diverse populations may Understand that diverse populations

may Understand

frequently hold stigmatizing attitudes

about mental illness and mental health

services. Understand that shame, mistrust

and discrimination also accompany

incidences of stigma.