Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness
A Report from a Global Association

Details the results of the Open Doors Programme, set up to fight the stigma/discrimination attached to schizophrenia.

Norman Sartorius (Author), Hugh Schulze (Author)

9780521549431, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 May 2005

264 pages, 4 tables
25 x 17.5 x 1.5 cm, 0.535 kg

'This is an accessible book, chock-full of guidance on implementing local anti-stigma interventions, aimed at schizophrenia but applicable more broadly. … one of the main lessons from this book is that contact with those who have mental health problems is perhaps the most powerful tool in lessening prejudice.' Journal of Mental Health

The stigma attached to mental illness is the main obstacle to better mental health care and the better quality of life of people who have the illness, of their families, of their communities and of health service staff that deal with psychiatric disorders. Stigma is pernicious and there are indications that despite advances of psychiatry and medicine it continues to grow and has more and often terrible consequences for patients and families. In 1996, the WPA began an international programme to fight the stigma and discrimination because of schizophrenia. The 'Open the Doors' programme has since been implemented in more than 20 countries and involved roughly 200 different anti-stigma interventions. This book details the results of these efforts internationally and provides recommendations and guidance for those seeking to join this international effort or start similar efforts to dispel stigma and discrimination.

Preface
Introduction
Participants in the programme
Acknowledgements
1. Developing the programme
2. Canada
3. Spain
4. Austria
5. Germany
6. Italy
7. Greece
8. United States
9. Poland
10. Japan
11. Slovakia
12. Turkey
13. Brazil
14. Egypt
15. Morocco
16. United Kingdom
17. Australia
18. Chile, India and Romania
19. Conclusions and recommendations.

Subject Areas: Psychiatry [MMH], Mental health services [MBPK], Care of the mentally ill [JKSM]