ANTI-STIGMA

Do you know the facts?

Stigma is not just a matter of using 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. Fear of stigma, and the resulting discrimination, discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need. An estimated 22 to 23 percent of the U.S. population experience a mental disorder in any given year, but almost half of these individuals do not seek treatment (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002; U.S. Surgeon General, 2001).

Do you know that an estimated 44 million Americans experience a mental disorder in any given year?

Do you know that stigma is not a matter of using the wrong word or action?

Do you know that stigma is about disrespect and using negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness?

Do you know that stigma is a barrier that discourages individuals and their families from seeking help?

Do you know that many people would rather tell employers they committed a petty crime and served time in jail, than admit to being in a psychiatric hospital?

Do you know that stigma can result in inadequate insurance coverage for mental health services?

Do you know that stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and violence against people living with mental illness and their families?

Do you know that stigma can cause families and friends to turn their backs on people with mental illness?

Do you know that stigma can prevent people from getting access to needed mental health services?

DO:

Do use respectful language. For example:

- Child with emotional, behavioral or social needs

- Child with special health needs

- Individual who has bi-polar disorder

Do emphasize abilities, not limitations.

Do tell someone if they express a stigmatizing attitude

DON’T:

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, or slow-functioning.

This is one of many fact sheets on mental health disorders. All the fact sheets are written in an easy-to-read style. Families, caretakers, and media professionals may find them helpful when looking for information about mental health disorders. For free copies, call 1-800-789-2647, or visit http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov and use the Publications link.

Mental Health Resources on the internet:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

ClinicalTrials.gov, National Institutes of Health
www.clinicaltrials.gov

Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov

• A Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free
  www.samhsa.gov/centers/clearinghouse/clearinghouses.html
• SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/pubListing.cfm?dID=23

This publication may be accessed electronically through the following Internet World Wide Web connection: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Workplaces That Thrive: A Resource for Creating Mental Health-Friendly Work Environments. SAMHSA Pub. No. SMA-4176. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004.