The stigma of mental illness: Explanatory models and methods for change

Abstract

For people with mental illness, diminished quality of life and loss of personal goals does not result solely from the symptoms, distress, and disabilities caused by their psychiatric disorder. Quality of life and personal goals are also hindered by people who embrace the stigma that accompanies mental illness and mental health care. This paper reviews evidence of the impact of mental illness stigma and strategies for seeking to ease its impact. To achieve these goals, we (a) describe the ways in which stigma harm people with mental illness, (b) summarize models that explain the development and maintenance of these stigmatizing effects, and (c) review strategies that have been shown to decrease the impact of stigma. Concerns about stigma are on the political agendas of many mental health advocacy groups. It has recently also become the focus of extensive research. Our goal in this paper is to balance the practical concerns raised by mental health advocates against data that support or contradicts specific assertions.