Before You Label People, Look At Their Contents
Words Can Be Poison
The stigma of mental illness is real, painful, and damaging to
the lives of people with mental illness. Stigma prevents them
from getting the treatment and support they need to lead
healthy, normal lives.
Stigma discourages people from getting help. At any given time,
one in four adults and one in five children experience a mental
health problem. Early and appropriate services can be the best
way to prevent an illness from getting worse. Many people don't
seek such services because they don't want to be labeled as
"mentally ill" or "crazy."
Stigma keeps people from getting good jobs and advancing in the
workplace. Some employers are reluctant to hire people who have
mental illnesses. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), such discrimination is illegal. But it still happens!
Stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence. Even though the
vast majority of people who have mental illnesses are no more
violent than anyone else, the average television viewer sees
three people with mental illnesses each week-and most of them
are portrayed as violent. Such inaccurate portrayals lead people
to fear those who have mental illnesses.
Stigma results in prejudice and discrimination. Many individuals
try to prevent people who have mental illnesses from living in
their neighborhoods.
Stigma results in inadequate insurance coverage. Many insurance
plans do not cover mental health services to the same degree as
other illnesses. When mental illnesses are covered, coverage may
be limited, inappropriate, or inadequate.
Words Can Heal
Here are six steps you can follow to help end the stigma which
surrounds mental illness:
Learn more. Many organizations sponsor nationwide programs about
mental health and mental illness.
Insist on accountable media. Sometimes the media portray people
who have mental illnesses inaccurately, and this makes
stereotypes harder to change.
Obey the laws in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The
ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in
all areas of public life, including housing, employment, and
public transportation. Mental illnesses are considered a
disability covered under the ADA.
Recognize and appreciate the contributions to society made by
people who have mental illnesses. People who have mental
illnesses are major contributors to American life-from the arts
to the sciences, from medicine to entertainment to professional
sports.
Treat people with the dignity and respect we all deserve. People
who have mental illnesses may include your friends, your
neighbors, and your family.
Think about the person-the contents behind the label. Avoid
labeling people by their diagnosis. Instead of saying, "She's a
schizophrenic," say, "She has a mental illness." Never use the
term "mentally ill."
Programs to End Stigma
Many National and State groups have begun projects and campaigns
to reverse stigma. These groups offer a range of programs and
materials, from speakers bureaus to training programs for mental
health professionals. To get involved, call them. And to learn
more about mental health, call SAMHSA's National Mental Health
Information Center at 800-789-CMHS (2647).
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center P.O. Box
42557 Washington, DC 20015 800-789-CMHS (2647) World Wide Web:
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov E-mail: info@mentalhealth.org/
The Anti-Stigma Project 1521 South Edgewood Street, Suite C
Baltimore, MD 21227 Phone 410-646-0262, 800-704-0262, or Fax
410-646-0264