Mental illness: a modern-day leprosy?
Leprosy in the ancient world involved quarantine from family and society and great stigma. Similarly, mental illness today can involve separation, lost potential, and stigma. As with leprosy, most people misunderstand etiology, treatment, and prognosis in mental illness. Nurses are in a key position to educate, intervene, and improve mental health outcomes.
Amerongen
Denae I
DI
School of Nursing, Grant MacEwan University, Edmonton, Canada.
Cook
Linda H
LH
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001633:Bible; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D012803:Sick Role; D012938:Social Perception; D029181:Spirituality; D013240:Stereotyping