Stigma, discrimination, and employment outcomes among persons with mental health disabilities

Abstract

In major cultures around the world mental disorders are common and associated with substantial levels of disability. According to projections of the World Health Organization, depression-related disorders will be the single leading cause of global disease burden by the year 2020 (Murray and Lopez 1996). The 12-month prevalence of serious mental disorders in the U.S. is 6.5%, with higher rates among women than men (Kessler et al. 2008). Persons with mental disorders comprise the largest single diagnostic category of persons receiving SSDI or SSI (McAlpine and Warner 2002), and tend to be among the most severely disabled recipients (Estroff et al. 1997). © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.