The stigma of severe mental illness: some potential solutions for a recalcitrant problem
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 29, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803-5501, USA.
Abstract:
Despite recent advances in the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), their full integration into society is hindered by lingering negative attitudes towards them. In this paper, a brief overview is provided on stigmatization towards individuals with SMI, including its' impact on quality of life and self-esteem, as well as the factors which likely underlie it. Research is reviewed showing that lowered negative perceptions towards persons with SMI are associated with previous contact with this population and with presentation of empirically-based information on the association between violence and SMI. Limitations of these findings are discussed with an eye towards developing improved techniques for reducing stigma.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Beck's Cognitive Therapy
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
