This book is a collection of writings on how society has stigmatized mentally ill persons, their families, and their caregivers. First-hand accounts poignantly portray what it is like to be the victim of stigma and mental illness. Stigma and Mental Illness also presents historical, societal, and institutional viewpoints that underscore the devastating effects of stigma.

These nineteen essays are the best collection of discussions of the many aspects of stigma and mental illness that has appeared anywhere. Some of the contributions are uniquely brilliant, some comprehensive, some sociopolitical, some religious and historical, some clinical and therapeutically focused—but all are thought-provoking and resonate with different facets of our own experiences and those of our patients.

These nineteen essays are the best collection of discussions of the many aspects of stigma and mental illness that has appeared anywhere. Some of the contributions are uniquely brilliant, some comprehensive, some sociopolitical, some religious and historical, some clinical and therapeutically focused -- but all are thought-provoking and resonate with different facets of our own experiences and those of our patients. George H. Pollock, M.D., Ph.D., Northwestern University Medical School This is a timely and valuable contribution to our literature. Jerry M. Wiener, M.D., The George Washington University School of Medicine A helpful guide to reexamining one's own ingrained beliefs and a source of practical solutions for conquering the worst side effect of mental illness -- the negative views of society, caregivers, and persons with mental illness themselves. Miles F. Shore, M.D., Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Mental Health Center