What is stigma and how does it affect individuals with mental illness, their families, and others? This page will begin to answer these questions by providing various definitions of stigma and links to further information.
- What is Stigma? -Information from NAMI Multicultural Action Center
- "An attempt to label a particular group of people as less worthy of respect than others."
- "A mark of shame, disgrace, or disapproval that results in discrimination."
- "Not just a matter of using the wrong word or action- it's about disrespect."
- "Stigmatization of people with mental disorders is manifested by bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger, and/or avoidance. Stigma leads the (public) to avoid people with mental disorders. It reduces access to resources and leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness. It deters the public from seeking, and wanting to pay for care. Stigma results in outright discrimination and abuse. More tragically, it deprives people of their dignity and interferes with their full participation in society." - U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher
- "Stigma may be obvious and direct, such as someone making a negative remark about your mental health condition or your treatment. Or it can be subtle, such as someone assuming you could be violent or dangerous because you have a mental health condition." –Mayo Clinic Staff
- "Stigma and fear compound the already difficult and complex problems faced by people who are ill and those who support them- their families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and service providers. Stigma, attitudes of fear, and discrimination against those with psychiatric disabilities have their roots in lack of information and lack of understanding." - The Mental Illness Education Project
- "Stigma goes far beyond the misuse of words and information, it is about disrespect... Our society tends to not give the same acceptance to brain disorders as we do to other organ disorders, say, heart trouble... Stigma must, and can, be exposed and overcome. Everyone must know that it is not their fault and that it is OK to ask for help." - National Mental Health Awareness Campaign