| When mental illnesses are used as
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| | Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits
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| labels-depressed, schizophrenic, manic,
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| | discrimination against people with
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| or hyperactive-these labels hurt.
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| | disabilities in all areas of public life,
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| Labels lead to stigma -- a word that
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| | including housing, employment, and public
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| means branding and shame. And stigma
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| | transportation. Mental illnesses are
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| leads to discrimination. Everyone knows
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| | considered a disability covered under the
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| why it is wrong to discriminate against
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| | ADA.
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| people because of their race, religion,
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| | 4. Recognize and appreciate the
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| culture, or appearance. They are less
| |
| | contributions to society made by people
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| aware of how people with mental illnesses
| |
| | who have mental illnesses. People who
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| are discriminated against. Although such
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| | have mental illnesses are major
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| discrimination may not always be obvious,
| |
| | contributors to American life-from the
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| it exists-and it hurts.
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| | arts to the sciences, from medicine to
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| Words Can Be Poison
| |
| | entertainment to professional sports.
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| The stigma of mental illness is real,
| |
| | 5. Treat people with the dignity and
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| painful, and damaging to the lives of
| |
| | respect we all deserve. People who have
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| people with mental illness. Stigma
| |
| | mental illnesses may include your
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| prevents them from getting the treatment
| |
| | friends, your neighbors, and your family.
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| and support they need to lead healthy,
| |
| | 6. Think about the person-the contents
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| normal lives.
| |
| | behind the label. Avoid labeling people
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| Stigma discourages people from getting
| |
| | by their diagnosis. Instead of saying,
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| help. At any given time, one in four
| |
| | "She's a schizophrenic," say, "She has a
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| adults and one in five children
| |
| | mental illness." Never use the term
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| experience a mental health problem. Early
| |
| | "mentally ill."
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| and appropriate services can be the best
| |
| | Programs to End Stigma
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| way to prevent an illness from getting
| |
| | Many National and State groups have begun
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| worse. Many people don't seek such
| |
| | projects and campaigns to reverse stigma.
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| services because they don't want to be
| |
| | These groups offer a range of programs
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| labeled as "mentally ill" or "crazy."
| |
| | and materials, from speakers bureaus to
|
| Stigma keeps people from getting good
| |
| | training programs for mental health
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| jobs and advancing in the workplace. Some
| |
| | professionals. To get involved, call
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| employers are reluctant to hire people
| |
| | them. And to learn more about mental
|
| who have mental illnesses. Thanks to the
| |
| | health, call SAMHSA's National Mental
|
| Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
| |
| | Health Information Center at 800-789-CMHS
|
| such discrimination is illegal. But it
| |
| | (2647).
|
| still happens!
| |
| | SAMHSA's National Mental Health
|
| Stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and
| |
| | Information Center
|
| violence. Even though the vast majority
| |
| | P.O. Box 42557
|
| of people who have mental illnesses are
| |
| | Washington, DC 20015
|
| no more violent than anyone else, the
| |
| | 800-789-CMHS (2647)
|
| average television viewer sees three
| |
| | World Wide Web:
|
| people with mental illnesses each
| |
| | E-mail: hsa.gov/
|
| week-and most of them are portrayed as
| |
| | The Anti-Stigma Project
|
| violent. Such inaccurate portrayals lead
| |
| | 1521 South Edgewood Street, Suite C
|
| people to fear those who have mental
| |
| | Baltimore, MD 21227
|
| illnesses.
| |
| | Phone 410-646-0262 , 800-704-0262 , or
|
| Stigma results in prejudice and
| |
| | Fax 410-646-0264
|
| discrimination. Many individuals try to
| |
| | Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
|
| prevent people who have mental illnesses
| |
| | (DBSA)
|
| from living in their neighborhoods.
| |
| | 730 North Franklin Street, Suite 501
|
| Stigma results in inadequate insurance
| |
| | Chicago, IL 60610
|
| coverage. Many insurance plans do not
| |
| | 800-826-3632
|
| cover mental health services to the same
| |
| | Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness
|
| degree as other illnesses. When mental
| |
| | Serving Hands International
|
| illnesses are covered, coverage may be
| |
| | 4607 Mission Gorge Place
|
| limited, inappropriate, or inadequate.
| |
| | San Diego, CA 92120
|
| Words Can Heal
| |
| | 800-219-4854
|
| Here are six steps you can follow to help
| |
| | National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
|
| end the stigma which surrounds mental
| |
| | Colonial Place Three
|
| illness:
| |
| | 2107 Wilson Boulevard
|
| 1. Learn more. Manyorganizations sponsor
| |
| | Suite 300
|
| nationwide programs about mental health
| |
| | Arlington, VA 22201-3042
|
| and mental illness. Several are listed at
| |
| | The National Empowerment Center
|
| the end of this brochure.
| |
| | 20 Ballard Road
|
| 2. Insist on accountable media. Sometimes
| |
| | Lawrence, MA 01843
|
| the media portray people who have mental
| |
| | 800-769-3728
|
| illnesses inaccurately, and this makes
| |
| | The National Mental Health Association
|
| stereotypes harder to change.
| |
| | Information Center
|
| 3. Obey the laws in the Americans with
| |
| | 2001 N.
|
