title: Mental illness stigma: concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma.
abstract: Persons with mental illness frequently encounter public stigma and may suffer from self-stigma. This review aims to clarify the concept of mental illness stigma and discuss consequences for individuals with mental illness. After a conceptual overview of stigma we discuss two leading concepts of mental illness stigma and consequences of stigma, focussing on self-stigma/empowerment and fear of stigma as a barrier to using health services. Finally, we discuss three main strategies to reduce stigma -- protest, education, and contact -- and give examples of current anti-stigma campaigns. Well-designed anti-stigma initiatives will help to diminish negative consequences of mental illness stigma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. nicolas_ruesch@psyallg.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rüsch
authors.forename: Matthias C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Angermeyer
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Corrigan
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D028701:Patient Rights; D011209:Power, Psychological; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping