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November 04, 2010
Mental Illness Stigma Still Remains Despite Changes In Public Perception
The Los Angeles Times (11/2, Roan) "Booster Shots" blog reported that, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, although "public perception of mental illness and addiction has changed significantly...in the last 15 years," people still may not "feel comfortable working or living near or being friends with someone with mental illness."
In a study comparing how people responded in 1996 and again in 2006 "to vignettes involving mental illness and addiction to gauge public understanding of the illness and feelings toward those who are ill or addicted," researchers found that mental illness stigma still remains, even though people understand that mental disorders "and addiction are biological, brain-based, sometimes-genetic illnesses."
(ONE OF THE GOALS OF THE MARYLAND FOUNDATION FOR PSYCHIATRY IS TO REDUCE STIGMA)
Related Links:
- "Mental illness stigma lingers even though people understand it's a brain disease," Shari Roan, Los Angeles Times, November 2, 2010.
Posted by admin at November 4, 2010 10:34 AM