Stigma

This study started as a literature review on stigma as part of a Professional Studies II Resettlement Course. While conducting the study the author was able to follow-up previous research which looked at contact with the mentally ill and stigma. The authors Trust opened a new community mental health base and the study looked at local residents' attitudes towards the mentally ill both 6 months prior to the opening and again 6 months after. A control area 5 miles from the base was also surveyed on both occasions. The study found that the opening of the base had little or no effect on the attitudes of local residents. However, there was evidence that attitudes towards the mentally ill had hardened both locally and within the control area.