Understanding and influencing the stigma of mental illness.

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv

Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago 60616, USA.

Published: January 2008

AI Article Synopsis

  • Mental illness stigma hinders life goals through public stigma, self-stigma, and label avoidance, creating barriers to personal aspirations.
  • Public stigma can be countered by protests, education, and personal interactions, while self-stigma may be reduced by fostering group identity and strategically managing disclosures about one's mental health.
  • Efforts to change stigma related to label avoidance are less clear but may benefit from similar education and contact strategies; rigorous research is needed to support effective stigma reduction methods.

Article Abstract

Life goals and the opportunities that define them are impaired by the stigma of mental illness. Three kinds of stigma may act as barriers to personal aspirations: public stigma, self-stigma, and label avoidance. Challenging mental illness stigm is essential in helping individuals accomplish recovery-related goals. Public stigma may be changed through protest, education, and contact. Self-stigma can be addressed by fostering group identity, changing the perceived legitimacy of stigma through cognitive rehabilitation, and making strategic decisions about disclosing one's mental health history. Stigma change for label avoidance is not as well understood but may include the education and contact approaches used for public stigma. Evidence-based approaches to stigma change need to be substantiated by rigorous investigations.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20080101-04DOI Listing

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