Challenging the Stigma of Mental Illness - by Patrick W Corrigan & David Roe & Hector W H Tsang (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Challenging the Stigma of Mental Illness offers practical strategies for addressing the harmful effects of stigma attached to mental illness. It considers both major forms of stigma: public stigma, which is prejudice and discrimination endorsed by the general population; and self-stigma, the loss of self-esteem and efficacy that occurs when an individual internalizes prejudice and discrimination.

• Invaluable guide for professionals and volunteers working in any capacity to challenge discrimination against mental illness
• Contains practical worksheets and intervention guidelines to facilitate the implementation of specific anti-stigma approaches
• Authors are highly experienced and respected experts in the field of mental illness stigma research

From the Back Cover

Mental illness deprives many people of opportunities to live full and independent lives within the realms of work, relationships, housing and health care. The stigma attached to mental illness within society often compounds this problem, impeding prospects still further. Therefore, just as researchers have developed practices for dealing with the clinical problems of mental illness, they also need to develop processes for dealing with the harmful effects of stigma.

Challenging the Stigma of Mental Illness provides practical strategies for addressing the two major forms of stigma: public stigma, which is prejudice and discrimination endorsed by the general population; and self-stigma, the loss of self-esteem and efficacy that occurs when an individual internalizes prejudice and discrimination.Â

Written by highly respected and experienced experts in the field of stigma research, this book provides a guide to all stakeholders who work to challenge discrimination and its impact. Practical worksheets and interventions guidelines are included to assist readers in facilitating the implementation of effective anti-stigma strategies within a community.

Review Quotes

"Overall this is a very inspiring book that demands a response to an important issue which is often overlooked or misunderstood." (Journal of Mental Health, 1 May 2013)

"In Challenging the Stigma of Mental Illness, Patrick Corrigan and colleagues seek to provide a practically focused text that is grounded in the experience and narratives of those who have struggled with the impact of stigma on their lives. A particular strength is that it does not shy away from some more difficult areas such as recognising that mental health professionals may be complicit in 'othering' people with mental health difficulties to much the same extent as the general population." (Oxford Journals Clippings, 4 May 2012)

"Overall, the authors provide thorough coverage of the major aspects of stigma and stigma reduction efforts in an easy-to-use format." (PsycCRITIQUES, 29 February 2012)

"Overall, I think the intentions of the authors are honourable and the books includes good suggestions on how to tackle the widespread problems of stigma. These range from small tasks that people could carry out in daily life to large changes required at government level." (The Psychiatrist, 1 December 2011)

"This is a book that would be ideal for an undergraduate health professional program, and could provide a valuable basis for coursework, such as developing an anti-stigma intervention, or simply a class discussion about the reality of stigma." (Metapsychology Online Reviews, 29 November 2011)

"In this unique text aimed at therapists, those in helping professions, patients, and families in the US and Europe, Corrigan (psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology) et al. outline practical strategies for addressing the major forms of stigma of mental illness: public stigma, prejudice and discrimination endorsed by general society; self-stigma, the loss of self-esteem and efficacy that occurs when a person internalizes prejudice and discrimination; and structural stigmas, the social forces shaped by public stigma . . . some sections of the book were taken from Corrigan and Robert Lundin's Don't Call Me Nuts! Coping with the Stigma of Mental Illness (2001), and this volume updates many of its ideas with recent research." (Booknews, 1 June 2011)

About the Author

Patrick W. Corrigan is Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the Institute of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology. Previously, he was principal investigator of the Chicago Consortium for Stigma Research, the only NIMH-funded research centre examining the stigma of mental illness. He is Editor of the American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

David Roe is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Israel. He serves on the editorial board of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences.Â

Hector W. H. Tsang is Associate Professor and Program Director for the BSc in Occupational Therapy at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling.