STIGMA
(Source: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) Fact Sheet.
Stigma is not just the use of the wrong word or action.
Stigma is about disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a
person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier and discourages
individuals and their families from getting the help they need due to the fear
of being discriminated against. An estimated 50 million Americans experience a
mental disorder in any given year and only one-fourth of them actually receive
mental health and other services
ANTI-STIGMA: DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS?
·
Do you know that
an estimated 50 million Americans experience a mental disorder in any given
year?
·
Do you know
that stigma is not just the use of
the wrong word or action?
·
Do you know
that stigma is about disrespect, and
that stigma is about the use of negative labels to identify a person living
with a mental illness?
·
Do you know
that stigma is a barrier and
discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need due
to the fear of being discriminated against?
·
Do you know
that many people would rather tell
employers they have committed a petty crime and were in jail, then admit to being in a psychiatric hospital?
·
Do you know
that stigma results in fear,
mistrust, and violence against people living with mental illness?
·
Do you know
that stigma results in families and
friends turning their backs on people with mental illness?
·
Do you know
that stigma keeps people from getting
needed mental health services?
DOs:
Do use respectful language such
as:
·
Person who has
schizophrenia
·
Person with a
psychiatric disability
·
Person with
bipolar disorder
Do emphasize abilities, not
limitations
Do tell someone if they express a
stigmatizing attitude.
DON’TS:
Don’t portray successful persons
with disabilities as super human.
Don’t use generic labels such as
retarded, or the mentally ill.
Don’t use terms like crazy,
lunatic, manic depressive, slow functioning, or normal.
For more information on mental illness contact:
NAMI of Greater
1536
312-563-0445
Fax:
312-563-0467