The Stigma of Mental Illness: Models and Methods of Stigma Reduction

Stigma is one of the major barriers to care for people with mental health and related disorders. Stigma includes negative beliefs about and hostile perceptions towards others, shame and self-stigma, discriminatory practices in hiring, promotion and recognition of people who suffer from mental health challenges, and structural and organizational policies and processes that result in inequalities for people who have mental health challenges. Stigma has been recognized as a significant factor in the well-being of people with mental health and related problems and can be more debilitating than the direct effects of mental health problems themselves.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) was established to conduct policy reviews and to promote initiatives related to mental health. The Opening Minds program of the MHCC is the largest systematic effort in Canadian history to reduce stigma related to mental illnesses. The program has adopted the systematic development, evaluation and deployment of targeted programs based on theories of change, best practices and available research evidence as a model for stigma reduction.

The Stigma of Mental Illness is an important vehicle to communicate conceptual issues in the field of stigma reduction, to document the work done to date within the MHCC Opening Minds program, and to offer practical strategies to broaden the scope and utility of the work for different contexts, cultures, and countries. This volume will be a global interest, given the growing importance of stigma reduction related to mental disorders and related problems.

Keith S. Dobson (PhD, Western University) is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary in Canada. Dr. Dobson's research has resulted in over 290 published articles and 80 chapters, 19 books, and conference and workshop presentations in many countries. In addition to his research, Dr. Dobson has been actively involved in organized psychology in Canada, including a term as President of the Canadian Psychological Association. He is a former President of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, and President of the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. Dr. Dobson is also a Principal Investigator for the Opening Minds program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with a focus on stigma reduction related to mental disorders in the workplace. Among other awards, he was given the Canadian Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Profession of Psychology, the Donald O. Hebb Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Science of Psychology, the CPA Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology, and the CPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Heather Stuart, MA (Sociology, University of Western Ontario), PhD (Epidemiology, University of Calgary) is a Full Professor in the Departments of Public Health Sciences, Psychiatry, and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen's University. She also holds the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-stigma Research Chair at Queen's. Professor Stuart is also the Senior Consultant to the Mental Health Commission of Canada's Opening Minds, Anti-stigma initiative and the past Chair and current Secretary of the World Psychiatric Association's Stigma and Mental Health Scientific Section. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a recipient of the Order of Canada.