Millions of people and their families are affected by mental
illness; it causes untold pain and severely impairs their ability
to function in the world. In recent years, we have begun to
understand and develop a range of effective treatments for mental
illness. Even with this shift from moralistic views to those
emphasizing the biological and genetic origins of mental illness,
punitive treatment and outright rejection remain strong. Public
attitudes toward mental illness are still more negative than they
were half a century ago, and the majority of those afflicted either
do not receive or cannot afford adequate care. As a result of all
of these troubling facts, applying the term "stigma" to mental
illness is particularly appropriate because stigma conveys the mark
of shame borne by those in any highly devalued group.
Mental illness tops the list of stigmatized conditions in current
society, generating the kinds of stereotypes, fear, and rejection
that are reminiscent of longstanding attitudes toward leprosy.
Mental disorders threaten stability and order, and media coverage
exacerbates this situation by equating mental illness with
violence. As a result, stigma is rampant, spurring family silence,
discriminatory laws, and social isolation. The pain of mental
illness is searing enough, but adding the layer of stigma affects
personal well being, economic productivity, and public health,
fueling a vicious cycle of lowered expectations, deep shame, and
hopelessness.
In this groundbreaking book, Stephen Hinshaw examines the
longstanding tendency to stigmatize those with mental illness. He
also provides practical strategies for overcoming this serious
problem, including enlightenedsocial policies that encourage,
rather than discourage, contact with those afflicted, media
coverage emphasizing their underlying humanity, family education,
and responsive treatment.
Stigma is a deeply inspiring and passionate work that is realistic
and filled with hope. It combines personal accounts with
information from social and evolutionary psychology, sociology, and
public policy to provide messages that are essential for anyone
afflicted or familiar with mental illness.
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