Stigma of mental illness.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric patients carry the additional burden of stigma. METHODS: The views of 300 psychiatric out-patients and day-patients and 100 mental health workers concerning stigma were sought.The control group comprised 50 cardiac out-patients. RESULTS: A fair proportion of patients with schizophrenia or depression perceived that stigma had a negative effect on their self-esteem, relationships and job opportunities.The majority felt a need for an increase in public awareness of mental illness. In contrast, the cardiac patients reported very little stigmatization. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic label of mental illness may render the person vulnerable to stigmatization. Possible causes of stigma and ways of reducing stigma are discussed.